Embracing the challenge

TAMPA - After facing a stiff test against the Predators, the Canadiens will undoubtedly be in tough once again versus the Lightning on Saturday night.

Tampa's numbers so far this season really do speak for themselves.
Not only does Jon Cooper's contingent sit atop the overall standings with 90 points - 15 points clear of their closest rivals - but they also score a League-leading 3.88 goals per game and boast the top-ranked power play, which is currently operating at a stellar 29.8% clip.
It's safe to say that things are rolling right along for the Lightning with three of the NHL's top-10 point-getters on their roster, including Nikita Kucherov, Brayden Point and Steven Stamkos.
"It isn't a fluke that they have a plus-70 differential," said Jonathan Drouin, ahead of another big matchup against his former squad. "They move the puck well and they play well together as a unit of five."
They certainly do, but the Canadiens aren't about to count themselves out of any contest, no matter the opposition.
"We have a belief in this locker room. If we play to our strengths, then we give ourselves a shot any night," insisted assistant captain Brendan Gallagher. "We've got a tough test ahead of us. We're playing a really good hockey team. But, we can't really focus too much on them. It's just about what we need to do. If we stick to it, we give ourselves a shot."

That means building on some of the things they did well against Nashville, particularly during the second period when they generated 21 shots on Predators starter Pekka Rinne.
Unfortunately, they couldn't find the back of the net during that stretch.
That has to change if they hope to come away with a victory in Hillsborough County.
"We know that we have to be better. I thought we didn't handle the puck well [against Nashville]. Sometimes, we seemed like a team that hadn't played for a while," mentioned head coach Claude Julien. "At practice, we focused on moving the puck and making things happen offensively. We had a lot of chances around the net, but we have to find a way to score when we have our chances there."

That takes commitment, which is something Gallagher touched upon as well following Friday's on-ice session at Amalie Arena.
"It's always a fast-paced hockey game whenever we come in here and play these guys, so for us to be prepared for that, we have to get our skating legs ready," explained Gallagher. "It should be fun. It should play to our strengths a little bit, too. We need everyone. I feel like if everyone shows up and does their job, we have a shot."
With that in mind, the Habs' game plan ultimately comes down to a few key points.
"We know they have a lot of talent. We won't hide that. But, it doesn't intimidate us. We like those types of challenges. That's what we're going to try and show," said Julien. "You can't play on your heels, but you have to be extremely good defensively. Because of the way they play, you will get some chances offensively if you do the right things. As most coaches would say, it's about playing the right way. That's what we need to do, really play the right way against these guys. If you don't, that's when they make you pay."