Canadiens vs Lightning: 5 Reasons To Be Confident

3. Habs Are Rested

I touched on this in a previous article even before the Lightning won their series with Detroit. I stand by what I wrote in that piece. The Habs have been practicing after having taken two days off. Rest easy, Habs fans, Mont Tremblant was not involved in said relaxation (said with tongue firmly planted in cheek).

I believe that the mammoth efforts of the Lightning to win against Detroit Wednesday evening will be showing in the team’s energy levels as they begin Round 2. How could they not be affected by a 7-game series, a hard-fought Game 7 which remained scoreless until the 3rd period?

How could they not be tired after winning that battle, and then getting their gear together to fly to Montreal for a new series  in just under 48 hours’ time?

Apr 25, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Ben Bishop (30) reacts after he gave up a goal from Detroit Red Wings center Riley Sheahan (15) during the first period in game five of the first round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Of course, they are giving interviews about how energized they are, and I’ve no doubt they are looking forward to this series as their “revenge” round for last year’s drubbing; but I don’t believe they are at the advantage coming into Montreal.

First, they know very well what the Bell Centre crowd is like; the raucous, ear-shattering support of 21, 287 fans – most of whom are firmly in the Habs’ corner (there are always going to be fans of the other team in any arena).

Apr 17, 2015; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens forward Alex Galchenyuk (27) reacts with teammates including Andrei Markov (79) and P.K. Subban (76) after scoring the winning goal against the Ottawa Senators during the overtime period in game two of the first round of the the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports

Second, they have had to travel, which definitely makes a difference in a body’s ability to relax before giving one’s all on the ice.

Third, while it wasn’t a physically bruising series between Tampa Bay and Detroit, they will be playing their 8th game in the space of 2 weeks, while the Canadiens played 6 games within 10 days.  Add to that the fact that the Habs are home – always an emotional lift – in both their arena and their homes; it gives the Canadiens that much more of an advantage.

The Canadiens had Ottawa on the ropes after 3 games. They knew they were within a win of the series, and even though it took them 3 more games to get there, it was a good place to be.

Tampa Bay was never at 3 games until Game 6, where they forced the final match with Detroit.

Emotionally, mentally, physically – it has to make a difference.

2. Habs Are Restless

While the Tampa Bay Lightning have been focusing on The Next Game for 2 weeks, it’s been 5 days since the Habs finished off Ottawa and they have been looking toward The Next Series.

The Habs have been interviewed ad infinitum since the series ended with Ottawa. Much of the focus has been on their upcoming opponent. Brendan Gallagher, the hero of Game 6 with his incredible game-winning goal, was interviewed after practice today. He said: “It took us a while to find out who we were going to play. Once we knew, we just wanted to drop the puck.”

He added:

This has been the attitude of the Habs since they wrapped up Ottawa. In every interview given, they have shown their confidence and their determination to begin, and succeed in Round 2 – even before they knew their opponents.

Any time you watch the Habs step onto the ice for a game, you can see the energy within just bursting as they take the warm-up, and then the first puck drop.

At this point in time, having practiced Wednesday prior to knowing their new opponents, and then Thursday and Friday with the Lightning confirmed as the Round 2 match-up, the team is more than ready. They’re restless.

I’ve no doubt they’ll come out of the gate to the home crowd this evening reflecting back the vibrant atmosphere that will greet them.

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