Lightning Win Series 4-0
As in game three, Montreal put up a noble fight. The Canadiens scored first and almost made it 2-0 on several occasions. But Tampa Bay is the better team in just about every aspect of the game. Their defensemen certainly don't make as many mistakes as the Canadiens' do.
Vincent Lecavalier and Martin St. Louis were quiet, for a change. But their fellow alumnus of the Quebec Junior League, Brad Richards, scored a very nice winning goal. That came towards the end of the second period. The Canadiens pressed, but Fred Modin scored the only goal of the third into an empty net.
Afterwards, Montreal revealed that Saku Koivu had played with a broken rib. Tampa Bay looks healthy, and the sweep earns them a chance to rest while watching the Maple Leafs and Flyers pummel each other.
Game Three: Lightning 4 - Canadiens 3 (OT) (Lightning lead series 3-0)
It had all the makings of a night to remember for Montreal fans. The Canadiens carried the game and moved the puck like wizards, only to trail 2-1 going after 40 minutes. But Michael Ryder and Patrice Brisebois scored in the final half of the third period, giving the Habs their first lead of the series. The dramatic comeback brought the building to its feet.
The crowd was still cheering with 17 seconds left, when the Canadiens lost what should have been the final faceoff and Vincent Lecavlier tipped in the tying goal. Overtime was mercifully brief, as Brad Richards banked a behind-the-net shot in off Jose Theodore at 1:05. Theodore had another decent game, but Lightning goalie Nikolai Khabibulin is always one save better, and his team mates know how to close a game.
Game Two: Lightning 3 - Canadiens 1 (Lightning lead series 2-0)
Tampa owned the first period; Montreal owned the second; the third was even. So what was the difference? With due respect to the Lightning, the difference was Montreal's dumb penalties and clueless defense. The Habs screwed up early, and were down 2-0 before they had their first shot on goal. That proved too big a hole against an excellent goalie like Tampa Bay's Nikolai Khabibulin.
The turning point was the last goal, scored by Vincent Lecavalier on a breakaway with three second left in the second period. It was Lecavalier's second goal of the game. Martin St. Louis had an assist. The two French-Canadian stars now have nine points in two games against the team they grew up cheering for. It's hard not to believe that this series is already over.
Game One: Lightning 4 - Canadiens 0 (Lightning lead series 1-0)
For all their flash and dash, the Lightning scored their first two goals the ugly way: Vincent Lecavalier slammed his way along the boards until the puck popped loose, and soon it was in the net; then he stepped into the slot to tip a point shot home. Lecavlier finished with two goals and an assist, his first points of the playoffs. Line mate Martin St. Louis had three assists. So much for Lecavalier's slump.
As the night wore on, it looked as if the marathon series against Boston had sucked the life from Montreal. Three of Tampa's goals came in the last 25 minutes, when the Canadiens sagged badly. They were lucky not to lose 6-0, and they have just a day-and-a-half to find their legs and get themselves sorted out.
Series Schedule
All Times Eastern Standard Time
* - denotes "if necessary"
Friday, April 23: Tampa Bay 4 - Montreal 0
Sunday, April 25: Tampa Bay 3 - Montreal 1
Tuesday, April 27: Tampa Bay 4 - Montreal 3 (OT)
Thursday, April 29: Tampa Bay at Montreal, 7:00 pm
Saturday, May 1: *Montreal at Tampa Bay, TBA
Monday, May 3: *Tampa Bay at Montreal, 7:00 pm
Wednesday, May 5: *Montreal at Tampa Bay, 7:00 pm
Lightning vs. Canadiens: Series Preview
Stanley Cup 2004: Second Round Schedule and Results at a Glance
