Lightning at Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens must be wondering what has happened to their defense. The Canadiens have allowed 18 goals en route to three straight losses as they prepare to host the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday. Montreal is tied with Boston in points for the Northeast Division lead, but has played one more game. The Canadiens will be tested against a Tampa Bay offense which is ranked third in the NHL and has two of the league’s top three scorers in Steven Stamkos and Martin St. Louis.
The Lightning are still looking for their first victory on their four-game road trip, with their playoff hopes almost officially extinguished. Tampa Bay came from behind in the third period to get a point in a 6-5 overtime loss to Washington on Saturday and a 4-3 shootout setback to Winnipeg on Tuesday. The Lightning are 1-4-2 in the last seven. Stamkos has 27 goals, one behind Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin for the league lead.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, RDS, Fox Sports Florida (Tampa), TSN-HABS (Montreal)
ABOUT THE LIGHTNING (17-22-4): Tampa Bay is trying to get something out of the final two weeks. The Lightning have shown resolve by battling back several times and lead the league in third-period goals (61), though their slow starts have often been puzzling. Tampa Bay general manager Steve Yzerman will have some decisions to make with his defense corps in the offseason, But with newly-extended Ben Bishop and Anders Lindback, the Lightning have two promising young goaltenders for the 2013-14 season. With 53 points apiece, Stamkos and St. Louis have moved within three of injured Pittsburgh captain Sidney Crosby for the league lead.
ABOUT THE CANADIENS (26-12-5): Montreal has pulled its goalie in each of the last three games. The Canadiens dropped a 7-3 decision to Philadelphia at home on Monday and suffered a 6-4 setback to the Penguins on Wednesday. Carey Price has lost five of his last six decisions, allowing less than three goals on only one occasion. Montreal must lean on potential Norris Trophy-candidate P.K. Subban and veteran Andrei Markov to lead the defense out of its malaise. Subban tops the team in points with 36 and is a plus-10. Michael Ryder, who leads the Canadiens in goals (16) including his time with Dallas, missed the Pittsburgh game with an upper-body injury.
OVERTIME
1. The Canadiens have allowed five power-play goals the last three games after holding teams without one for seven straight contests.
2. The Lightning have not won at Montreal since October 2010, losing in their last three at the Bell Centre.
3. Montreal C Ryan White will serve the second of a five-game suspension for his high hit on Philadelphia D Kent Huskins.