Has it really been only 20 days since the last time the Canadiens hosted the Tampa Bay Lightning?
Montreal defeated the visitors 3-2 that night, the climax to an incredible 16-6-1 run that improved the Canadiens’ record to 24-19-4. That victory moved the Canadiens to within a point of third-place Tampa Bay in the Atlantic Division, and all things appeared possible.
Fast-forward to Sunday afternoon. The Lightning remain third in the division following its 5-3 victory — it’s fourth straight — at the Bell Centre. As for the Canadiens, they lost their fifth consecutive at home and have but one win, against San Jose, in nine games. Montreal’s run to a playoff berth is nothing but a mirage at this juncture, as the NHL takes a nearly two-week break for the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament.
Perhaps the respite will serve the Canadiens well? It certainly appeared at times on this afternoon many of their players had already started their winter holidays.
This is why teams win: The Lightning have four players with at least 25 goals.
This is why teams lose: The Canadiens have one — Cole Caufield.
Goalies actually can play back-to-back games: After being outshot 37-18 Saturday afternoon at Detroit — yet defeating the Red Wings 6-3 — Andrei Vasilevskiy started against Montreal. Of course, being backed up by Brandon Halverson, who has yet to play this season and has one 2018 game to his credit, we would argue the Lightning had no other option.
Look at the bright side: After being shut out in its last two home games, the Canadiens scored.
Look at the brighter side: Only 26 games remain.
News you need (Part I): Not only was this the Canadiens’ second set of back-to-back games in less than a week, it was their seventh since Dec. 19. But they have a mere four when NHL play resumes.
Likely no coincidence: Defenceman Jayden Struble, dressed after being a healthy scratch the last two games, delivered the game’s opening hit, after only 25 seconds, on Gage Goncalves.
Don’t look now, but: With two goals against the Lightning, Brendan Gallagher increased his season’s output to 14. Only Caufield and Nick Suzuki have more. And Gallagher is approaching his 33rd birthday in May.
News you need (Part II): The Lightning went nearly seven minutes before registering its first shot. History will note Tampa Bay also scored on its first shot.
Double your pleasure: The Lighting also scored on its second shot.
His bubble has burst: Things went well for rookie goalie Jakub Dobes — at least through his first five NHL games. But lately? Not so much. He looked like a wounded seal on the Lightning’s third goal, badly out of position and floundering on his stomach. After allowing three goals on eight shots, Dobes mercifully was replaced by Samuel Montembeault. Dobes’s save percentage on this afternoon was an embarrassing .625.
Where breakaways go to die: For the second consecutive game, Josh Anderson failed to convert a breakaway, hooked by Victor Hedman in the first period. And for the second consecutive game, the Canadiens were awarded a penalty shot. Owen Beck failed to capitalize on Saturday, against New Jersey. Not only did Anderson fail to score — he missed the net. Call it the hidden goal.
News you need (Part III): The Canadiens had a 13-4 hits advantage through 20 minutes.
News you need (Part IV): Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis juggled his lines in the first period, demoting both Juraj Slafkovsky and Patrik Laine.
News you need (Part V): The struggling Laine had only 3:10 of ice time in the first period. Laine has now gone 10 games without a goal, but will represent Finland in the coming 4 Nations Face-Off tournament.
News you need (Part VI): After outshooting the Lightning 14-6 in the first period, the visitors registered the first five shots following the intermission.
Faceoff of the afternoon (Part I): Zemgus Girgensons beat Kirby Dach, eventually leading to the Lightning’s fourth goal.
Faceoff of the afternoon (Part II): Christian Dvorak beat Anthony Cirelli in the third period, leading to Gallagher’s second goal, nine seconds later.
Quick stats: Montreal outshot Tampa Bay 35-21. Anderson led all Canadiens, with six shots — one more than Caufield. Arber Xhekaj had five hits, while Dvorak had four. Caufield, Suzuki and Lane Hutson were all minus-2. Dvorak was plus-1. Laine was on the ice for only 11:13.
Roster update: Following the game, the Canadiens announced forward Beck and defenceman Logan Mailloux have been loaned to AHL Laval, making the Rocket even more formidable.
They said it: “I think they know what they’re capable of,” St. Louis said about his struggling team. “I’m not going to beg or (try to) convince them to keep going. I think everybody needs a break now. We’ll address what we need to address when we get back together. I don’t think I need to convince my players to keep fighting.
“I wasn’t going to be patient tonight. I wasn’t,” he added.
“He (St. Louis) saw my first two shifts. He had no option,” Slafkovsky admitted. “It’s been going on like that for a while. He needed a change and I had to get going. Maybe I had a couple of good shifts after that. As a coach you have to make these decisions. Today, it helped me.”
“For the most part we played a really good game and gave ourselves a chance against a good team,” Jake Evans said. “The way things have been going it’s a step in the right direction.”
“We’re in a tough position,” Gallagher said. “We’re pushing to find results. Maybe guys are going a little bit too much. I thought for the majority of the game we played some pretty good hockey. But there were too many self-inflicted wounds. Maybe guys are pushing too much? Too aggressive. You want to make plays. You want to be a difference-maker, but sometimes you’ve got to let the game come to you as well.”