The Montreal Canadiens continued their impressive run with a 5-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning, driven by Jake Evans, who scored for the fifth consecutive game, marking a personal best for the forward. Alongside Evans, Christian Dvorak, Joel Armia, Brendan Gallagher, and Alex Newhook contributed to the scoreboard, further solidifying the Canadiens' offense as they secured their fifth win in six outings. Goaltender Sam Montembeault was instrumental in the victory, making 21 saves to keep the Lightning at bay.
The game started with Newhook finding the net with a powerful one-timer in the first period. Tampa Bay's Brandon Hagel quickly equalized just 37 seconds into the second period. However, the Canadiens swiftly regained control with goals from Dvorak and Evans, who scored within a span of just under six minutes, establishing a lead that they would maintain for the remainder of the match.
This win was particularly significant for Montreal, as it ended a four-game losing streak against Tampa Bay. The Canadiens showcased their offensive prowess, scoring four or more goals in six consecutive games, a feat that highlights their current form. For the Lightning, the defeat was compounded by the absence of left winger Jake Guentzel, who missed the game due to an upper-body injury and is considered day-to-day. Tampa Bay's struggles were evident as they fell to 0-7-1 when scoring fewer than three goals.
One notable moment occurred shortly after Hagel's equalizer when Lane Hutson of the Canadiens took a hooking penalty. Despite the power play opportunity for Tampa Bay, Montreal's penalty kill proved effective, preventing any shots on goal during the advantage. Evans’ streak of five consecutive games with a goal ties him for the longest active goal streak in the NHL, further emphasizing his impact on the ice.
Looking ahead, the Canadiens will face off against the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday, while the Lightning will travel to San Jose for their next matchup on Thursday night.
