2014 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Review: (A2) Tampa Bay Lightning vs. (A3) Montreal Canadiens

Series Summary

The series kicked off with a high-scoring affair, as the Habs and Lightning would go goal=for-goal during regulation. Dale Weise would be the unexpected hero, as received a pass from Danny Briere and snuck it past Anders Lindback to give the Habs the series lead. Carey Price, after a bad Game 1, would rebound in Game 2, stopping 26 of 27 shots. On the other end, Rene Bourque contributed 2 of the Habs 4 goals in that game. Bourque continued his scoring ways in Game 3, getting the opening goal 11 seconds into the game. Tampa Bay would tie the game in the second and look to have taken the lead, but had a goal called back on a controversial call that saw Alex Killorn having incidental contact with Price. The Canadiens would score soon after that call, and held on to take Game 3. Montreal wanted to end the series in Game 4, and came out firing, scoring twice in the opening frame. While Tampa Bay did get one back in the second, Montreal was able to chase Lindback from the net for the second time in the series. The Lightning didn't go lying down though, as goals by Victor Hedman and Tyler Johnson early in the third would tie the game up. Late in the period, Cedric Paquette would take a penalty that would end up costing the Lighting another game. Max Pacioretty would jam in a powerplay goal with 43 seconds left to give the Habs the series sweep. The sweep would be the only one of the first round, as the Habs get a long break until the second round.

Games

Montreal Canadiens 5 (OT)
Tampa Bay Lightning 4

Montreal Canadiens 4
Tampa Bay Lightning 1

Tampa Bay Lightning 2
Montreal Canadiens 3

Tampa Bay Lightning 3
Montreal Canadiens 4

Three Four Thoughts on the Series

1. This might have been the last we've seen of Anders Lindback in the NHL. He's a free agent this year and I doubt the Lightning are going to extend a contract to him (especially given how Gudlevskis has performed this year).
2. Rene Bourque woke up this series, scoring 3 goals and pushing the play with a 56.3% Corsi For rate (5v5).
3. Have to feel sorry for Tampa on that disallowed goal in Game 3. Price did embellish a bit of the contact in order to draw the call (its kind of funny, if he didn't draw the contact then he's probably in position to make the save).
4. The Paquette penalty in Game 4 was pretty karmatic.

Picture of the Series

Between the Stamkos scrum and the snarkiness, Jon Cooper seems like a good dude.



(Image via Toronto Sun)

Highlight of the Series

Come for Subban's awesomeness, stay for Palat pole vaulting.