Unfortunately, they were not the better team in the first period, a frame in which they were loose defensively and yielded two goals. Those first period tallies for the Canadiens allowed them to hold a lead they never relinquished. They received a strong performance from goaltender Sam Montembeault, who finished with 31 saves. They also got a seeing-eye goal from Mike Matheson late in the second period, a shot from the point that deflected off Mikhail Sergachev's stick and snuck inside the post and crossbar.
Coming off Sunday's disappointing performance against New Jersey, the Lightning didn't look very sharp in the first period of this game. An unforced d-zone turnover led to Kirby Dach's opening goal at 8:27 and a rush coverage miscue resulted in Jonathan Drouin's score at 14:00.
But the Lightning regrouped during the first intermission. Jon Cooper mixed up his forward lines to begin the middle stanza and the move helped the Lightning begin carrying play consistently. But Montembeault was sharp - he turned aside 16 of 17 Lightning shots in the frame, allowing only a power play goal to Brayden Point at 8:58.
With just under seven minutes left in the period, the teams were each assessed a minor penalty. During the ensuing four-on-four, the Lightning produced their best chance of the game. Nick Perbix was open in the low slot and attempted a backhand deke, but Montembeault denied the shot with his right skate. He also stopped Perbix's rebound shot.
Soon after the four-on-four ended, Matheson's left point shot found its way through traffic, hit Sergachev's stick, and deflected into the top of the net. So despite delivering a dominant period, the Lightning exited the period still facing a two-goal deficit.
The Lightning continued to dictate play in the third, but only solved Montembeault once more. Ross Colton's pass deflected to Pat Maroon at the side of the net for a goal at 14:54. But the Lightning couldn't find the equalizer.
They didn't get the result, but in the final two periods, the Lightning played an urgent, hungry game. They'll look to carry that style of play into Thursday's contest in Ottawa.
Lightning Radio Three Stars of the Game:
1. Sam Montembeault - Canadiens. 31 saves.
2. Mike Matheson - Canadiens. GWG.
3. Brayden Point - Lightning. Goal.
