Kucherov, Stamkos Vitality Lightning Previous Canadiens in Game 1 of 2021 Stanley Cup Closing
AP Photo/Gerry Broome
The Montreal Canadiens are trying and complete a Stanley Cup title drought relationship assist 28 years. First, they might be able to maintain to resolve out Andrei Vasilevskiy. And the Tampa Bay Lightning’s electrical offense. And their mammoth protection.
Turns out the Lightning are the defending champions for a reason.
The Lightning and their broad name goalkeeper proved to be fairly the foil for the Canadiens on Monday night in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Closing, worthwhile 5-1 at the assist of Vasilevskiy’s 18 saves and a operate-scoring barrage from the crew’s wealth of talented forwards.
Erik Cernak, Yanni Gourde, Nikita Kucherov (two) and Steven Stamkos scored for the Lightning, who’re now colorful three wins a ways from repeating as champions.
NHL on NBC Sports @NHLonNBCSports
The icebreaker in the #StanleyCup Closing belongs to the @TBLightning.#GoBolts pic.twitter.com/V10T6UUFWt
NHL on NBC Sports @NHLonNBCSports
Blake Coleman extends the #GoBolts lead. 🚨#StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/HwRSEOFdy9
NHL on NBC Sports @NHLonNBCSports
THAT’S A WILD WAY TO SCORE. 🚨#GoBolts | #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/2sVweyzSEZ
NHL on NBC Sports @NHLonNBCSports
That’s a Kucherov LASER BEAM. 🚨#GoBolts | #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/Tp4ehARVH6
Brayden Point added three assists for the Lightning.
The Lightning colorful fully dominated this one. They outshot the Canadiens 27-19, blocked 15 photographs and held a 10-5 advantage in takeaways. Both groups introduced the physicality, but it absolutely used to be the Lightning who additionally introduced the scoring touch.
John Shannon @JShannonhl
A complete of 115 Hits in G1….#Canadiens had 58… #Lightning had 57.#StanleyCup
In entrance of a rocking Amalie Enviornment crowd, the Lightning looked successfully on their system to incomes a third Stanley Cup title in organization history.
Montreal had its moments, as Ben Chiarot’s operate in the 2nd duration slash the Tampa lead in half of.
NHL on NBC Sports @NHLonNBCSports
The @CanadiensMTL are on the board! 🚨#GoHabsGo | #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/76xiyUkZV1
Nonetheless they had been too few and a ways between Monday night.
No longer that adversity will pain the Canadiens too distinguished. They had been down 3-1 in their first-spherical series versus the Toronto Maple Leafs earlier than advancing. They misplaced the principle sport in the Stanley Cup Semifinal towards the Vegas Golden Knights earlier than worthwhile in six. They’re 5-1 in time previous regulation video games.
Or no longer it’s been a magical urge, and it’s removed from over. Nonetheless Monday night the Lightning had been colorful greater, corpulent end.
StatsCentre @StatsCentre
Finishing with 3 points (1 operate, 2 assists) in a 5-1 @TBLightning lift over the Canadiens tonight, Kucherov joined Wayne Gretzky (6 times), Ticket Messier (3), Jari Kurri and Mario Lemieux as among the top gamers in NHL history to put up a few profession 30+ point #StanleyCup Playoff years https://t.co/2Gq6bGVDXc
It helps having a valuable person fancy Kucherov. Or a netminder fancy Vasilevskiy. Or…successfully, it helps to be as loaded as the Lighting fixtures.
Game 2 is scheduled for Wednesday night at 8 p.m. ET on NBCSN.