The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-2 on Wednesday night at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa. With the loss, Tampa Bay trails the best-of-seven series 3-2, and is one loss away from being eliminated from the first round playoff series.
Montreal took a 1-0 lead in the first period thanks to a Brendan Gallagher goal. Dominic James tied the game at the 6:49 mark of the second, but that tie lasted only 11 seconds before Kirby Dach scored to give the Canadiens a 2-1 lead. Jake Guentzel scored for the Lightning at the 17:23 mark of the second and the game would be tied 2-2 going into the second intermission.
In the third period, it would be Alexandre Texier scoring for Montreal what would prove to be the game-winner. Andrei Vasilevskiy went 21-of-24 in net for Tampa Bay, while Jakub Dobes got the win in net for Montreal after saving 38 of the 40 shots he faced.
The Lightning will now try to avoid elimination in game six of the best-of-seven series on Friday night. Puck drop between the Lightning and Canadiens is scheduled for 7:00 PM on Friday night in Montreal.
COVER PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES