The keys to winning in the playoffs are usually simple. Get a hot goalie, strong defense and a timely goal-scoring and your path to the Stanley Cup is much clearer.
NHL playoff scores 2015: Canadiens survive with rout in Tampa, Blackhawks sweep Wild
Montreal and Chicago don’t lack for confidence now.
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
But confidence plays a huge role, too. Only a handful of teams have ever rallied from a 3-0 series deficit to advance, but the ones who have needed a spark of belief in themselves to do so. The Montreal Canadiens may now have that spark, thanks to Thursday night in Tampa Bay.
The Canadiens, facing elimination in Game 4, completely routed the Lightning in a 6-2 win that had to instill confidence back in a tired squad. From the first puck drop, they seemingly skated and scored at will as the Lightning defenders looked lost. It was the best game they've played all spring and to pull it off on the road in a must-win scenario was impressive.
And it provided plenty of opportunities for hope to sink in.
P.K. Subban also said that seeing Ben Bishop get pulled tonight was a "confidence-booster for our team."
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) May 8, 2015 So is the fact they now go back home to Montreal with a chance to push the series to 3-2 in front of the best home crowd in the league. They also know they can not only win, but dominate the Lightning on the road in Tampa Bay, making a Game 6 win much less daunting before hosting Game 7 at the Bell Centre.
Considering how much brighter the path forward looks for Montreal, it will be difficult to keep focus on the game ahead. But the spark of belief has to be more intense after Thursday, a dangerous sign for the Lightning and their fans.
Scores
Montreal Canadiens 6, Tampa Bay Lightning 2 (TB leads series, 3-1)
Chicago Blackhawks 4, Minnesota Wild 3 (CHI wins series, 4-0)
3 things we learned
1. Goaltending failed the Lightning
Granted, the defense in front of them was just as lackluster. But, giving up three goals on 14 shots at home in an elimination game is pretty unacceptable for Ben Bishop. His replacement Andrei Vasilevskiy was just as leaky in relief. Tampa Bay needs to play better in front of and in the net.
2. Patrick Kane tore up Minnesota
With his goal in the third period of Game 4, Kane became just the fourth player in NHL playoff history to score a goal in the first four games of a series. He’s not so much creeping into the Conn Smythe conversation as he is charging in with a bullhorn while riding an actual bull.
3. Maybe the Wild should try to avoid the Blackhawks in the playoffs
Via Elias: @NHLBlackhawks are 1st team to eliminate same opponent in 3 straight years (2013 CQF, 2014 SR) since TOR ousted OTT from 2000-02.
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) May 8, 2015 Impact moment
Brandon Saad looked into his hockey stick and saw a ghost.
Stat of the night
If you thought Steven Stamkos was going to light the world on fire after he scored his first goal of the postseason in Game 2, you were sadly mistaken. Since then, he hasn't registered a single shot on net.
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