Canadiens @ Lightning: Game thread, rosters, lines, and how to watch

Montreal Canadiens @ Tampa Bay Lightning

How to watch

Start time: 7:00 PM EST / 4:00 PM PST
In Canada: Sportsnet East, CityTV, Sportsnet Now (English), TVA Sports (French)
In the US: NHL Network
In the Lightning region: SUN
Elsewhere: NHL.tv / Rogers NHL Live

Bringing the Montreal Canadiens’ stretch of games played versus tough teams to a close, they head to Amalie Arena to take on the league-best Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday. The sequence was a test of the competitive level of the squad Montreal has as it prepares for what could be a post-season berth once the regular season comes to a close. So far in that examination, they’ve compiled a 1-1-1 record, so the outcome of tonight’s game will determine just how successful they were in placing themselves among the perceived playoff contenders.

The Canadiens have been unsuccessful in the season series so far, with two losses on their record. However, the last meeting was a 6-5 decision in which the Canadiens were just pipped by the greater offensive strength of the NHL’s top offence.

Preventing goals will be a challenge tonight, but at least this time the Canadiens will have their number-one netminder in goal to help repel the attack.

The lineup remains the same from the group that fell in Nashville two nights earlier. That means the fourth line that struggled to get the puck out of their zone now faces the likes of Nikita Kucherov, Steven Stamkos, and Brayden Point on their home turf. While the bottom line starting out rough, out-attempted 9-0 in the first period, they were about even in shot attempt differential the rest of the way, so perhaps some quick chemistry if forming for them.

The top line of Jonathan Drouin, Phillip Danault, and Brendan Gallagher also had a rare night of being on the ice for several goals against and not being in full control of the play. The Canadiens will need to have better performance from everyone involved if they are to get a first win versus the Lightning this season.

Montreal Canadiens projected lineup

Tampa Bay Lightning projected lineup