Habs Report: Canadiens Tame Tampa 3-1

October 28, 2016

Posted by Lennoxmatt

More Late Game Heroics for the Habs

Once again Montreal used some third period magic to win a game. This time it was the Tampa Bay Lightning who fell victim to the Habs success, as the Canadiens scored 3 third period goals to beat the Bolts 3-1. The win moves Montreal to 7-0-1 on the season, while Tampa falls to 5-2-0.

Pacioretty Scored the Game Winner in the 3rd

The Lightning drew first blood in this one, with Alexander Killorn scoring at 16:08 of the 2nd period to give Tampa a 1-0 lead going into the 2nd intermission. Montreal answered back in the 3rd when Alex Galchenyuk tied the game on the powerplay at 6:12 of the period. The Habs edged ahead a few minutes later when captain Max Pacioretty scored his 2nd of the year to give the Canadiens a 2-1 lead. Torrey Mitchell added his 4th of the season with less than a minute to play, knocking in the empty net goal to secure the win. Montreal now sits atop the NHL points standings with 15 points.

Tampa Plays Well, Falls Short

Alex Killorn Tip Shot Beats Price

For the first 2 periods of Thursday’s game it was Tampa who looked to be in control. The only thing that kept Montreal in contention was the goaltending of Carey Price. Price’s 30 save performance was his first win against the Lightning since December 28, 2013. It was a big 3rd period save by Price that turned momentum in Montreal’s favour and allowed them to score a couple timely goals. Tampa forward Ondrej Palat had a sure goal robbed from him in close when Price was able to extend his pad for the save. The Canadiens would then storm back to take the win.

Habs Scoring Making an Impact

For the past few seasons Montreal has not been known as a high scoring team, but they are getting big goals when needed this season. The Habs blueline leads the league in point by defensemen, having combined for 25 points in 8 games. Despite being held of the scoresheet both Alexander Radulov and Shea Weber continue to make their presence felt, and are a big reason for Montreal’s early success this year.

Habs and Leafs Resume Rivalry on Saturday

The greatest rivalry in hockey will resume on Saturday night as the Canadiens host the Maple Leafs for the first meeting between the teams this year. For Habs fans this will be the first chance to see Leafs phenom Auston Matthews on the ice. The young Toronto star made headlines as he scored 4 goals in his first NHL game, something no other player has ever accomplished. The forward now has 6 goals and 4 assists in 7 games for the Leafs, who despite his stellar play are 2-2-3 on the season and continue to have questionable goaltending, despite off season moves that saw the much maligned Jonathan Bernier sent to Anaheim. Game time is 7:00pm EST on Saturday night.