In an impressive display of offensive prowess, the Montreal Canadiens triumphed over the Tampa Bay Lightning with a decisive 5-2 victory on Sunday night. The win marked the Canadiens' fifth victory in their last six games, showcasing their resurgence in the NHL. Jake Evans, who has been on a scoring spree, netted a goal for the fifth consecutive game, a personal best for the young forward. Other contributors to the scoreline included Christian Dvorak, Joel Armia, Brendan Gallagher, and Alex Newhook, with Sam Montembeault making 21 saves to secure the win.
The game started with Newhook's one-timer giving Montreal an early lead. However, the Lightning responded quickly with Brandon Hagel scoring just seconds into the second period. The Canadiens quickly regained control, as Dvorak and Evans scored within a span of just under six minutes, establishing a lead that Tampa Bay could not overcome. The Canadiens' offense has been particularly potent, having scored four or more goals in six straight games.
On the other hand, the Lightning struggled without key player Jake Guentzel, who missed the game due to an upper-body injury. This loss continued a troubling trend for Tampa Bay, which has now fallen to 0-7-1 when scoring fewer than three goals in a game. A crucial moment in the match came shortly after Hagel's equalizer when Montreal's Lane Hutson was penalized, but the Canadiens' penalty kill managed to thwart the Lightning's power play without allowing a shot.
As the season progresses, the Canadiens look to build on their momentum with an upcoming matchup against the Vegas Golden Knights, while the Lightning will seek to rebound against the San Jose Sharks.
