Canadiens and Lightning Battle in Playoff Series: Key Stats and Insights

The anticipation is palpable as the Montreal Canadiens gear up to face the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series. This matchup marks only the fifth postseason series between these two storied franchises, with the Canadiens holding a 1-3 record against the Lightning in previous playoff encounters (2004, 2014, 2015, 2021). Their sole series victory came in 2014 when Montreal swept Tampa, who was deprived of their top goaltender, Ben Bishop, at the time.

The most recent clash between these teams was during the 2021 Stanley Cup Final, where Tampa triumphed with a 4-1 series win, outscoring the Canadiens 17-8. Andrei Vasilevskiy, who earned the Conn Smythe Trophy that year, was in goal for the Lightning and will be a formidable presence again in this series. Historically, Tampa has outscored Montreal 58-42 across their four playoff series, but this time, the Canadiens bring a fresh roster centered around the offensive prowess of Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovsky, Ivan Demidov, and Lane Hutson.

During the regular season, the teams split their four-game series, with Tampa winning the initial two matchups in December, followed by Montreal taking the last two in March and April. Overall, the Lightning managed to outscore the Canadiens 12-11 in these encounters, although one of Tampa’s goals in their 6-5 victory was a shootout goal, which does not count in the overall score. Notably, Tampa has consistently scored four goals in each period, while Montreal has relied heavily on their third-period performance, netting seven of their eleven goals in that frame.

As the series approaches, Tampa’s record in Game 1s stands at 16-23 for a .410 win percentage, with a home record of 8-13 (.381). In contrast, the Canadiens boast a solid 75-50 record in Game 1s, translating to a .600 win percentage. However, their struggles become evident when on the road, where they hold a mere 13-32 record for a .289 win percentage.

Experience could play a crucial role in this series. Brendan Gallagher leads the Canadiens with 76 playoff games under his belt, contributing 33 points, including nine points over 15 games against Tampa. Phillip Danault has 62 playoff games with 28 points, and Josh Anderson follows with 48 games and 15 points. Suzuki, with 37 games, has recorded 25 points, while Caufield has played 25 games, netting 16 points. However, neither player has found the net against the Lightning in the postseason, with Caufield managing only three assists in five games.

On the other hand, the Lightning boast a wealth of playoff experience. Corey Perry’s 237 playoff games rank fourth in NHL history, with 141 points amassed. Ryan McDonagh has 196 playoff games and 68 points, while Victor Hedman has played 170 games, earning 120 points against various opponents, including eight in 15 games against Montreal. Nikita Kucherov, the Bolts’ leading postseason scorer, has 171 points in 152 games, including 13 points in 13 playoff games against the Canadiens.

In goal, Vasilevskiy stands out with 120 playoff appearances, 67 wins, a 2.45 GAA, and a .918 save percentage. His stats improve against Montreal, showcasing a 1.95 GAA and a .934 SV. In contrast, Jakub Dobes has only seen limited postseason action, winning one of three games with a GAA of 2.91 and a .881 save percentage. Jacob Fowler will be making his playoff debut, having played eight AHL postseason games last season.

As the Canadiens prepare to face this formidable challenge, they carry the underdog mantle into this series, more equipped than last year against Washington. Game time is set for 5:45 PM, and fans can catch the action on various networks including The Spot, HBO MAX, truTV, TNT, SN, TVAS, and CBC. The officiating crew will feature Jake Brenk and Francois St-Laurent, with Shandor Alphonso and Julien Fournier serving as linesmen.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.