Montreal Canadiens face tough game against confident Tampa Bay Lightning - NHL Preview
Montreal Canadiens have reached rock bottom this season as their struggles with an underperforming roster continue and things may well turn for the worse on Tuesday, February 28th, 2012 as they travel to Tampa Bay to face playoff spot chasing
Lightning at the Tampa Bay Times Forum.
The Canadiens have lost four straight games to drop to the bottom of the Eastern Conference with just 58 points this season.
Montreal’s recent run may well have ended their chances of sneaking up into the playoff spots as they trail the eighth spot by a huge 10-point margin.
For Tampa Bay Lightning it is a great opportunity to build some momentum and reduce the gap between themselves and the playoff spots.
The Lightning are currently 11th in the Eastern Conference with 62 points just six points behind the Winnipeg Jets who are in eighth and a victory over a struggling Canadiens side will help them close that gap.
Tampa Bay ended a two-game skid on Sunday with a confidence boosting 4-3 win over New Jersey Devils and will look to deliver more of the same against the Habs.
Canadiens (24-29-10, 58pts)
It has been a season to forget for the fanatical Habs fans as their team handicapped by poor management and a mediocre roster find themselves bottom of the Eastern Conference.
The Canadiens offence has been dismal in recent games scoring a total of just four goals during their current skid while also getting shutout by Dallas Stars.
Defence has not been much better either with both goaltenders Carey Price and Peter Budaj struggling to keep their team in games.
Montreal has given up a massive 14-goals and deservedly find themselves at the basement of the Eastern Conference.
Coach Randy Cunneyworth wants his players to buck up and return back to winning ways.
"This losing streak is not easy on anybody. The one thing you have to do is have a little pride and you have to keep working hard."
Lightning (28-28-6, 62pts)
Tampa Bay have their own struggles to deal with but unlike Montreal are at least fighting to make things right.
The Lightning on Saturday had lost by a huge 8-1 margin to the Pittsburgh Penguins in a shocking defensive display but bounced back in style the very next day when they faced New Jersey Devils.
Forward Martin St. Louis was the hero against the Devils as he scored a brilliant hat trick to power Tampa Bay to victory and goaltender Mathieu Garon made 19-saves to help keep his team’s lead intact.
Centre Steven Stamkos was impressed by his team’s display and still believes that Tampa Bay have enough talent in their roster to make the playoffs.
"We still do believe. We have 20 games left and that's a lot of hockey. If we get going and get on a streak, anything can happen."
Predictions
The Canadiens have done well in games where they faced a lot of adversity and could spring a surprise as they look to heal some of their wounded pride.
The sum of goals will remain below six since both offences have been struggling recently.
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