Similar to the games earlier this week against Calgary and Dallas, the Lightning delivered a tight defensive performance. That's not an easy feat against the Canadiens, who can use their speed to create chances off the rush. But Montreal's speed wasn't a factor in this game, in large part because of the Lightning's solid puck management and positional play. They limited turnovers that might have fueled the Montreal attack and their strong gap control through the neutral zone prevented the Habs from generating speed through center ice. Also, when Montreal did have possession in the Lightning's end, the Bolts defended well. Repeatedly throughout the game, one player would challenge a Montreal puck carrier and successfully dislodge the puck. Then support would come from a teammate, who would grab the puck and move it out of the d-zone.
That kind of play was needed because Montreal was also defending well, at least while the game was scoreless. Still, there were some isolated chances for both sides during the opening 40 minutes. Carey Price's best save sequence came midway through the second period when he denied back-to-back close range shots from Brayden Point. On the Lightning's side, there were two key plays in the second period that contributed to the eventual outcome. The first came on their successful coach's challenge after Brett Kulak scored during a four-on-four. The goal was disallowed because the Canadiens were offside on the entry. It was a close call, but the right one. Then, in the final minute of the second period, Andrei Vasilevskiy made consecutive point-blank saves on Jonathan Drouin and Brendan Gallagher.
Nikita Kucherov's power play goal at 2:16 of the third got the Lightning rolling and they added a second tally from Yanni Gourde one minute and twenty-five seconds later. Tyler Johnson had another goal disallowed due to a Montreal challenge for goalie interference, but ended up scoring anyway with under four minutes left. Kucherov, Gourde and Johnson all fired perfectly-placed shots into the top of the net. Equally impressive was the Lightning's team game in the third. They took complete control after Kucherov's tally and outshot the Habs, 17-4, in the final frame.
Vasilevskiy recorded his second shutout in a row, his league-leading sixth of the season (tied with Vegas' Marc-Andre Fleury) and set the Lightning franchise record with the 18th shutout of his career.
Lightning Radio Three Stars of the Game (as selected by Phil Esposito):
1. Nikita Kucherov - Lightning. Goal and assist.
2. Erik Cernak - Lightning. Seven shots.
3. Andrei Vasilevskiy - Lightning. 20-save shutout.
