Canadiens vs Lightning Top Six Minutes: Lightning strikes in Montreal

For our new readers and members, the Top Six Minutes is a continuation of the discussion in the game thread. We try to keep it light and entertaining. Full recaps are up the morning after every game.

Pre-game

• The Habs can crush Tampa’s playoff hopes tonight.
• For those who don’t know me, this would elate me.
• Let’s do this!/

First period

• Last home game of the season fellas. Give the fans what they want!
• Habs give Tampa an early power play less than two minutes in. Good thinking. Make them feel like they’re in control. Let their guard down a little.
• Yanni Gourde was so surprised that Byron came out of nowhere zooming down the ice, that he crashed into his own net.
• It’s another fast-paced game like last weekend, except this time Tampa is out-shooting the Habs 7-1 in the first half of the period. You can make them feel a little less comfortable now guys.
• Gally looks like a pinball in front of the Tampa net.
• So close for Danault as he goes for a wrap-around, but Vasilevskiy gets a toe on it to keep it scoreless.
• Gally with a good chance, but turned away again. Hey, Vasilevskiy...your lace is untied!
• Nikita Kucherov pings it off the crossbar and Gourde picks up the rebound to make it 1-0.
• No big deal. Give them one so they don’t feel so bad when you give them the boot out of the playoff spot.
• Kucherov gets a flip shot over Price’s blocker to make it 2-0 with 10 seconds left.
• Hey, Kucherov...your lace is untied. /

Second period

• Vasilevskiy has never won back-to-back games when playing back-to-back nights. Price wins them all the time. We got this.
• Markov goes down and there’s an interference call! Habs head to the power play. Here we go...
• We don’t need no stinking man advantage. We’ll do this full strength. Any minute now.
• (Five minutes later...) A stretch pass from Lehkonen and Dwight King is off to the races and goes five-hole, cutting the lead in half. Bonus: It’s his first goal and point as a Hab!
• Killhorn beats Davidson in a foot race then beats Price to restore their two goal lead.
• Radulov tips it over to Pacioretty who fires it a little too wide.
• This calls for another drink./

Third period

• Tampa is desperate tonight. I’m also desperate...for them to be knocked out of the playoff race.
• Weber, Benn and Emelin are out tonight. Perhaps, and I’m just spit-balling here, give your goalie a little more help this period?
• Dotchin called for tripping as Byron flies down the ice. What’s his defense? Byron tripped over his stick. Riiight....
• Galchenyuk heads to the box for hooking. Hey, Chucky. When did you get here?
• Lehkonen fools Vasilevskiy with a fluky yet beautiful short-handed goal that goes up and over to make it 3-2.
• The excitement is short-lived when, twenty-seconds later, Gourde notches his second of the night to double the lead again. Hey, Gourde... your lace... oh nevermind.
• With ten minutes left, the Habs decide to pile on the pressure. There’s still time.
• A nice toe save by Price keeps it 4-2.
• Gallagher off the post!
• Habs head to the power play with two minutes left and Price leaves his post.
• I’m just going to assume the Habs lost purely because they don’t want any part of helping the Leafs make the playoffs.  Tampa Wins, 4-2./

EOTP 3 Stars

Third star

Second star

First star

Habs Highlight of the Night

Dwight King scores his first as a Hab