Lightning Triumphs Over Canadiens in a Nail-Biting Shootout Victory – Sky Bulletin
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In a thrilling encounter that ended in a shootout, Victor Hedman clinched the victory for the Tampa Bay Lightning as they edged past the Montreal Canadiens with a 4-3 score on Saturday night, breaking their four-game slump at home.
The intense shootout concluded with a 2-1 advantage favoring the Lightning, helping them secure a tie with the Detroit Red Wings for the top wild-card berth in the Eastern Conference.
Standout performances from Brayden Point, Anthony Cirelli, and Tyler Motte, alongside 28 regulation saves from goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy—who tied with Tiny Thompson for the 49th spot in all-time wins—bolstered Tampa Bay’s efforts.
Lightning’s right wing and NHL point leader Nikita Kucherov added to his impressive season tally with another assist, bringing his total to 105 points. Despite a worrying moment where he lost his edge and collided with the boards, Kucherov managed to rejoin the game shortly after.
The Canadiens exhibited determination, with Joel Armia, Jake Evans, and Josh Anderson each netting a goal, although it wasn’t enough to avoid extending their disappointing 11-game run which now includes seven losses and two draws. Goaltender Cayden Primeau put up a strong fight in regulation with 30 saves, following their recent 4-3 shootout defeat to the Florida Panthers.
Much to the relief of Montreal, they successfully killed off Cole Caufield’s hooking penalty in overtime, where Tampa Bay launched an attack with four shots on target. Down 3-2 in the third, Motte’s short-handed goal equalized for Tampa Bay, setting up the eventual shootout scenario.
Earlier, Point and Cirelli found the back of the net in the second period to erase a two-goal deficit. These contributions were underscored by Point’s impressive 11-game home scoring stretch, echoing Kucherov’s season-best for the team, not to mention his nine-game point streak overall.
The Canadiens had hit the ground running with a goal by Armia just over a minute into the game, and Evans widened the lead off Gallagher’s assist before the end of the first period.
NEXT UP
The Canadiens look to rebound against Nashville on Tuesday night.
The Lightning are set to welcome the Calgary Flames to their home rink on Thursday night.
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FAQs
- Who scored the winning goal for Tampa Bay Lightning?
Victor Hedman scored the winning goal in the sixth round of the shootout. - How did Nikita Kucherov fare in this game?
Kucherov added an assist to his tally and now has 105 points for the season despite briefly leaving the game due to a collision. - What is the significance of the Lightning’s victory?
The win helped the Tampa Bay Lightning tie for the first Eastern Conference wild-card spot. - Did Andrei Vasilevskiy reach a milestone with this win?
Yes, Vasilevskiy tied Tiny Thompson for 49th place in all-time wins with his 284th victory. - What is Montreal’s current form?
The Canadiens are struggling with a 2-7-2 record in their last 11 games.
Conclusion
In a display of resilience and skill, the Tampa Bay Lightning vanquished the Montreal Canadiens in a shootout spectacle that saw Hedman emerge as the hero. With the victory, the Lightning have steadied their position in the playoff race while handing the Canadiens another setback in their challenging season. Fans of both teams witnessed an engaging battle on ice that promised excitement down to the very last shot. Tampa Bay now sets their sights on maintaining momentum as they gear up to host the Calgary Flames in their next outing.
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