Canadiens vs. Lightning: Game thread and lines

Game 79: Montreal Canadiens vs. Tampa Bay Lightning

Start time: 7:00 PM EDT / 4:00 PM PDT
In the Canadiens region: TSN2 (English), RDS (French)
In the Lightning region: The Spot
Streaming: ESPN+, RDS, TSN+

Just before the Olympics we looked at the remaining schedules for the Atlantic Division teams and highlighted just how compressed the final third of the season was going to be for the Tampa Bay Lightning. Tonight will be their 14th contest in the past 24 days, and they’ll finish the season without another two-day break. Tampa Bay has a record of 2-3-0 in the past five games going back to their loss on home ice to Montreal, and have failed to score more than two goals in a game on a current four-game road trip.

The Canadiens have managed to find ways to win despite sub-standard performances, and that set up the situation tonight where they can overtake the Lightning in the standings. But just because their opponent may be missing its spark doesn’t mean it’s a team they can take as lightly as they did the New York Rangers, New Jersey Devils, and Florida Panthers in their recent outings.

As a potential playoff preview, both teams should be bringing the best effort they can muster to this battle. We saw Montreal find a new level when they met in Florida, and similar will be required to claim a second consecutive win over their divisional rival.

Montreal Canadiens projected lineup

Injured: Alexandre Carrier
Ill: Joe Veleno
Scratched: Adam Engström, Brendan Gallagher, Patrik Laine, Samuel Montembeault

Florida Panthers projected lineup