Kucherov gets last laugh as Lightning take Game 1 over Canadiens in 2OT
The Montreal Canadiens and Tampa Bay Lightning met in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series on Friday with the Lightning walking away victorious 2-1 in double overtime.
The Habs played the role of aggressor early and received valiant efforts from Max Pacioretty, Brandon Prust and Torrey Mitchell, while the Lightning rode the back of netminder Ben Bishop.
The Lightning struck first thanks to a Tyler Johnson goal before Pacioretty sent the game into overtime beating Bishop - who was stopping everything in sight - with an odd goal.
Nikita Kucherov almost ended the game in OT, charging into Carey Price on a breakaway attempt. The puck went in, but the goal was disallowed due to goaltender interference.
Kucherov, however, would win the game for his squad one period later, rifling a shot from the slot passed Price.
Star Performer: Bishop is a big man, but he was a literal human wall on Friday.
Sure, the 6-foot-7 netminder made a costly error in the third, but if it wasn't for his efforts, the Lightning wouldn't have survived the Canadiens' relentless attack.
He also shook off a huge slap shot that hit him square in the mask in OT - his 43rd save of the game.
Turning Point: It was all about the goaltenders through most of the night's action - until Lightning forward Tyler Johnson decided to put his team on top 1-0 in the third period.
The goal was the first to beat Price in five periods of play.
Extra kudos to Johnson for returning to the game after leaving in the third period due to a nasty cross check to the ribs.
(Courtesy: NHL.com)
Goalie comparison: Both netminders were razor sharp for their respective squads.
Price was stellar stopping 33 shots and Bishop was on-point - aside from his third period miscue - making 43 saves.
Expect this spectacular battle between the posts to continue throughout the series.
| Goalie | Shots | GA | Saves | SV% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bishop | 44 | 1 | 43 | .977 |
| Price | 35 | 2 | 33 | .943 |
Top Highlight: Bishop was outstanding against the Canadiens, which included a tremendous glove save to rob Tomas Plekanec in the second period.
Stat of the night: In the second period, Canadiens' defenseman P.K. Subban played a shift of two minutes and 45 seconds.
He played over 35 minutes total on the night.
Series at a glance:
Game 1: Lightning 2, Canadiens 1
Game 2: Sunday, May 3 6:00 pm ET
Game 3: Wednesday, May 6 7:00 pm ET
Game 4: Thursday, May 7 7:00 pm ET
Game 5*: Saturday, May 9 (TBD)
Game 6*: Tuesday, May 12 (TBD)
Game 7*: Thursday, May 14 (TBD)
*If necessary