Canadiens vs Lightning: Game Thread, Lines, & TV Schedule

Tonight, Carey Price will be looking to ink his name in the Montreal Canadiens record book once again this season. With a win over the Lightning, Carey Price will move into a 4-way tie for the most winning season for a Montreal Canadiens goalie (Jacques Plante 1955-56,1961-62; Ken Dryden 1975-76). Carey's season currently ranks as the 4th best season in Habs' goaltender history, tied with Ken Dryden who won 41 in 1976-77. Note that in all seasons mentioned here, the Habs went on to win the Cup.*

Before Carey Price can see his name atop the list of Canadiens' goalie greats, he and his teammates will have to overcome an opponent that has had their number all season. The Tampa Bay Lightning are 4-0-0 in the season series (while the Habs are 0-3-1), having outscored the Canadiens by an average score of 3.5 - 1.25 (14-5 over 4 games). Should the Habs put an end to Tampa's 4-game winning streak against them tonight, they will be 5 points up Bolts with the Atlantic Division lead, which may be insurmountable with only 5 games left to play after tonight's contest. As far as playoff posturing go, tonight's game is huge.

The Habs may be able to take advantage of a two-game stumble from Lightning goalie Ben Bishop, who has lost his last two games, 4-0 and 3-2, and was pulled in the 3-2 loss to the Predators last Thursday after allowing 3 goals in 26 minutes on 11 shots. Bishop has only lost once in regulation to the Habs, and won 9, in his career and has great numbers against the Habs (9-1-2, 1.42 GAA, .945 SV%). The Canadiens were able to get under his skin a little in their last meeting, but it was too little too late as the Lightning had already jumped to a 3-0 lead.

The puck drops at 7:30 PM EST. The Habs will be running with the same lines that won them the game on Saturday against the Florida Panthers. Tom Gilbert is still sidelined with an injury and is not expected to play until at least Friday.

Scratched: Mike Weaver, Sergei Gonchar, Manny Malholtra, Devante Smith-Pelly
Injuries: Tom Gilbert (upper body)

Scratched: Jonathan Marchessault
Injuries: Mattias Ohlund (knee),  Jason Garrison (upper body), Braydon Coburn (lower body), Tyler Johnson (upper body), Andrei Sustr

Check out the enemy over at Raw Charge.

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