Series Recap: Montreal sweeps Tampa Bay

The only Canadian team in the NHL playoffs became the first to advance to the second round. Here is the series recap of the Montreal sweep over Tampa Bay.

Best performance

NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs-Tampa Bay Lightning at Montreal Canadiens

Brendan Gallagher

Gallagher had three goals and two assists in four games. What is most impressive about this is that he did it in about an average of 14 minutes of ice-time a night. Gallagher is a guy that every playoff team needs and he played his role perfectly for the Habs.

Goat of the series

NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs-Tampa Bay Lightning at Montreal Canadiens

Anders Lindback

Lady luck was cruel to the Lightning even before the playoffs started.  Standout goalie Ben Bishop went down with an injury. The Lightning were hoping Lindback could be the answer. He was not.

His playoff save % was a shockingly low .881 and his GAA was 3.91.

Game that turned the tide

Game 1. Right out of the gate Montreal took it to Tampa Bay. Even though Tampa Bay forced OT, Montreal carried most of the play. Huge opening statement and they never looked back.

How things could have been different

As Lightning head coach John Cooper pointed out, the Lightning got no breaks. Especially in Game 3, when the Lightning had a disallowed goal, and saw Steven Stamkos take a knee to the head.

GIF(S) of the series

All Marc Bergevin, all the time. His reaction to the Habs winning Game 1 in overtime is great:

marcbergevinhappy

His reaction to the GWG in Game 4 is just as good:

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What’s up next for Montreal

Montreal will wait for the winner of the Boston/Detroit series.

About Derek Rocco

Managing editor of thepensblog.com

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