Lightning Strike Early and Often, Take 2-0 Series Lead over Canadiens
There were a few things one could take away from Games 1 and 2 of the Cup Final, but one of the main ones (particularly with Canadiens fans) is that the Tampa Bay Lightning are a very, very good hockey team. In the lead up prior to Game 1, some of you doubtless caught sight of the numerous advanced metrics that were brought up regarding the Lightning’s offensive efficiency, such as their xG (Expected Goals) on the powerplay over 60 minutes being over 12 goals a game (yes, really).
While Montreal managed to stick with Tampa through the first period and most of the second on Monday, Lightning eventually struck twice, and then a third time, and a fourth, and a fifth. While Ben Chiarot spoiled Andrei Vasilevskiy’s shutout bid with a twice-deflected shot from the point, Tampa looked as calm and composed as ever. On the road once more in Game 2, before heading back to the Bell Centre for Game 3, Montreal turned a fantastic start through the first two periods, into blown chances, giveaways, and a last-second dagger from Blake Coleman.
https://twitter.com/Sportsnet/status/1410417875010134020
Having played some of the best hockey of his career up to this point, with his first (and possibly last) legitimate shot at the Stanley Cup in sight, Carey Price was doubtless humbled by Tampa’s definitively lethal shooting, with both Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov getting in their fair share of chances. Brayden Point, who’s been the toast of the post-season with his league-leading 14 goals, focused on dishing out some apples instead with a 3-assist night in Game 1, ditto Kucherov who posted 2 goals and 1 assist. Duelling price at the other end has been Vasilevskiy, who’s looked as unflappable as ever as the Habs have struggled to put pucks past him.
In what has been an uncharacteristically dry start offensively for Montreal (at least in these playoffs) there were still some bright spots, as Shea Weber and even Josh Anderson have brought some much-needed physicality, with Nick Suzuki rebounding from a less than impressive Game 1 with his sixth of the post-season in Game 2. While this wasn’t a great start to the Final, the stage is now set for Montreal to rebound at home in Game 3, and prove they belong here just as much, as they’re cup-defending rivals.