Until now.
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Carey Price was stellar between the pipes on Saturday to help Montreal win a second straight game and survive in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Canadiens 2, Lightning 1 (Tampa Bay leads 3-2)
Takeaway: The Canadiens struck early, taking a 1-0 lead on a Devante Smith-Pelly wrister nine minutes into the game.
It took 23 shots for the Lightning to finally score on Price. Steven Stamkos tied it at 1-1 with 10:33 remaining in the third period.
P.K. Subban set up the game winner with a nifty move around Tampa’s Alex Killorn followed by a swift pass to Pierre’ Alexandre Parenteau, who flicked the one-timer over the shoulder of Lightning goalie Ben Bishop. The puck flew past Bishop’s glove and clanged off the crossbar before dropping into the net.
It was the first time this season the Canadiens were able to win on their home ice against the Lightning, who had won five straight at the Bell Centre.
Quotable: “Bishop played a great game, but we finally got one past him,” P.A. Parenteau said of his game-winning goal before saying the Canadiens would have “to be pretty much perfect” at Tampa to force a Game 7.
Highlight: Parenteau’s goal was set up thanks to one excellent pass from Subban.
Next up: Game 6, Tuesday at Tampa Bay, TBD
Three stars
Ben Bishop, G, Lightning: In a game where each goalie played well, Bishop made 27 saves.
Carey Price, G, Canadiens: The Vezina and Hart trophy finalist played like it Saturday night. He made 24 saves to lead the way for Montreal.
P.K. Subban, D, Canadiens: While P.A. Parenteau scored the game-winner, it was Subban who made the play. He also blocked four shots, took three shots, and cleared the puck with 36 seconds remaining after Tampa had brought on an extra defender.
Injury report
Nathan Beaulieu was a game-time decision by Habs coach Michel Therrien, but Beaulieu played more than 14 minutes after missing the previous seven games with an upper-body injury.
Sunday’s games
(All times Eastern)
Rangers at Capitals, 7 p.m., NBCSN, CBC, TVA
Flames at Ducks, 10 p.m., NBCSN, Sportsnet, TVA
