The Montreal Canadiens dropped a 3–2 choice to the Tampa Bay Lightning on the Bell Centre on Sunday night time, because the collection is now tied 2–2.
Hagel would rating a pair of third interval targets to assist the Lightning come from behind to defeat the Canadiens.
Canadiens construct lead however lose momentum late
After a scoreless first interval, Montreal broke by simply previous the halfway level of the sport. Zachary Bolduc opened the scoring following a sequence that started with a save by Jakub Dobeš, finally beating Andrei Vasilevskiy to deliver the group to life.
The Canadiens doubled their lead on the facility play with 6:39 remaining within the second interval. Nick Suzuki labored the puck alongside the boards earlier than discovering Cole Caufield within the slot, and Caufield buried the possibility for his first of the postseason. The aim additionally marked Caufield’s twentieth profession playoff level in simply his twenty ninth sport.
The Bell Centre crowd grew more and more assured because the lead stretched to 2. One fan summed up the temper, saying, “We actually thought we have been going to get the win.”
Lightning rally with three unanswered targets
Momentum shifted within the remaining minute of the second interval when Jake Guentzel redirected a cross-ice go throughout four-on-four play to chop the result in 2–1.
Tampa Bay carried that push into the third interval, tying the sport early after a controversial high-sticking name led to a aim from Brandon Hagel lower than two minutes in.
Montreal continued to press, however the decisive second got here late. A shot from Nikita Kucherov deflected off Hagel and previous Dobeš with underneath 5 minutes remaining, giving the Lightning a 3–2 lead.
The sequence left some followers annoyed with how the sport turned. Reacting to the successful aim, a younger fan mentioned, “I feel we might have accomplished means higher… identical to off Hagel’s face and in — we might have accomplished higher there.”
Followers stay hopeful regardless of setback
Regardless of the loss, many in attendance pointed to the larger image of a tightly contested collection.
One fan acknowledged the frustration however remained optimistic, saying, “It’s a bit disappointing that they misplaced, nevertheless it’s been one-one since they began, so hopefully we’re going to be the primary one to be on 4.”
One other supporter shared an identical sentiment, including, “I’m feeling unhappy, I hoped they have been going to win immediately. A bit of disenchanted, however actually, I feel we knew it was going to be a protracted collection, and I feel the Habs will bounce again, so we’re not too apprehensive.”
There was additionally a way of delight within the staff’s effort regardless of the consequence. As one fan put it, “Perhaps we’ll come again Wednesday…I’m happy with them.”
Collection shifts again to Tampa Bay
Juraj Slafkovský briefly left the sport after taking a heavy hit in open ice late within the second interval however returned for the third.
Dobeš made 17 saves on 20 photographs, whereas Vasilevskiy stopped 16 of 18 for Tampa Bay.
Previous to puck drop, Corridor of Fame defenceman and former Canadiens basic supervisor Serge Savard energized the Bell Centre crowd as a part of the pre-game ceremony.
Recreation 5 will probably be in Tampa Bay on April 29, earlier than the collection comes again to Montreal for Recreation 6 on Might 1.
