After the Tampa Bay Lightning took Game 7 against the Detroit Red Wings on Wednesday, the team traveled north of the border for their second-round matchup against the Montreal Canadiens set to take place on Friday.
Lightning vs. Canadiens, NHL playoffs 2015: Time, TV schedule and live stream
Will Montreal eliminate Tampa Bay for the second straight year?
Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
The two Atlantic Division rivals will face-off in the playoffs for the second consecutive season. Last spring, the Habs earned a clean sweep as the Lightning were unable to overcome the loss of starting goalie Ben Bishop. The tables were flipped this year, however, as Tampa Bay won all four regular season matchups against Montreal by a combined score of 16-5.
It’s quite an accomplishment given the fact that Montreal employs the likely Hart and Vezina Trophy recipient, Carey Price. The 27-year-old netminder has turned in one of the best single seasons in league history, and has propelled an otherwise pedestrian team to the Eastern Conference semifinals.
For the Lightning to overcome Price, they’ll need Bishop at the top of his game. Although he wasn’t particularly good during the regular season, Bishop has fared well in the playoffs. His Game 7 performance in Round 1, in which he saved all 31 Detroit shots, was among his best in 2014-15.
Game 1 coverage
7 p.m. ET | Game 1, Eastern Conference Round 2
Bell Centre | Montreal
Local: None | Nat'l: NBCSN, SN
Live stream at NBC Live Extra
More coverage: Lightning blog | Canadiens blog
See More:
