The Montreal Canadiens have taken the three games to two series lead over the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. On Wednesday night at the Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida, the Canadiens defeated the Lightning 3-2 and are now leading the best out of seven series.
Two Canadians scored for the Canadiens. Brendan Gallagher of Edmonton, Alberta opened the scoring at the three minute mark in the first period. Gallagher scored from Alex Newhook of St. John’s Newfoundland. Gallagher found a loose puck front of the net and beat Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy. What was fascinating about Gallagher’s goal was the fact that it was his first game of the series. Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis started Gallagher over Finnish rookie Oliver Kapanen, and Gallagher gave the Canadiens an excellent performance.
Then at the seven minute mark in the second period, the Canadiens got an all-Canadian goal. Kirby Dach of Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta scored from Zachary Bolduc of Trois-Rivieres, Quebec and defenseman Kaiden Guhle of Edmonton, Alberta to put the Canadiens up 2-1.
Montreal’s third goal, the game-winner, came from Alexandre Texier at 1:06 of the third period. Jakub Dobes made 38 saves for the victory. Game six is in Montreal on Friday night at the Bell Centre.
