Ann 2Game 47 Review: Lecavalier's Lightning Run Over Flat Canadiens 5-3 (Highlights Video Included)
January 28th 2009 19:47
Despite conceding the first goal early in the game, the Canadiens thoroughly dominated the first period. After twenty minutes, their superiority showed in the scoreboard as they led 2-1 via Lapierre who deflected Markov's rocket shot and Kovalev who intercepted a bad clearance by Mike Smith. Furthermore, the visitors easily killed off two Lightning powerplays, getting great scoring chances on the penalty-kill.
After an almost-perfect period, the Canadiens inexplicably fell asleep in the second period. Three goals (on six shots) by the Lightning completely swung the momentum for the home side while Montreal suffered a sudden drop of production with only five shots on goal (four times less than in the first period). Tampa added to their lead in the third period via Martin St. Louis with their second powerplay goal. Guillaume Latendresse reduced the score less than twenty seconds later but instead of giving a spark to the Canadiens, the goal only reminded the Lightning to tighten up defensively and clog up the neutral zone.
In the end, the usual suspects showed up for the Lightning. Their stars gave them the game-breaking goals while their netminder made the saves when it mattered. That wasn't the case for Montreal. Kovalev and the Lapierre line seemed to be the only ones willing to play while Higgins and Koivu were rusty after coming back from injury. The question mark is Carey Price who has surrendered ten goals in his last two games. If the Canadiens don't find their bearings on Thursday against the Panthers, they'll have to start to worry about the teams in their rear-view mirror rather than the top of the pack.
My 3 Stars:
3. Vincent Lecavalier
2. Martin St. Louis
1. Mike Smith
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