Montreal Canadiens hoping to end skid as Tampa Bay Lightning visit – NHL Preview
The Tampa Bay Lightning have three more games left in the current National Hockey League (NHL) regular season and all the games are scheduled to be played on road.
The results of the games are not going to affect Lightning’s fate in the season as they have already been eliminated from the playoff contention, but ending the season on a positive note is certainly their priority.
Not so different is the case of the Montreal Canadiens, who also have three more games left, and they, too, are eliminated from the playoff contention.
Canadiens are going to host Lightning on Wednesday, April 04, 2012, at Bell Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Here is a look at both teams.
Lightning
They are ranked at 11th spot in the Eastern Conference with 81 points after 79 games. They played their last two games on home ice and defeated Winnipeg Jets (3-2 in overtime) and Washington Capitals (4-2).
Against Capitals, Lightning were unable to score in the first period. They got their first scoring move in the second period when Capitals had already scored a goal. However, Lightning scored two goals in the period to take the lead.
In the final period, Capitals levelled the score, but Lightning scored two more goals during the last three minutes and won the game.
The victory cheered the Lightning, but Capitals were the ones who were most affected by the result as their playoff chances received a serious blow after the loss.
Steven Stamkos, who scored the final two goals for Lightning, said after the game:
"It was nice to beat a divisional rival in a game that mattered to them. When you're in the position we are, you just play spoiler. You try to win every game. I don't think you come into games with grudges against certain teams, but after it's that much
more sweet to win, especially our last game at home and against a team that we've battled with the last couple years."
Canadiens
They are placed at the bottom of the Eastern Conference with 73 points after 79 games. Canadiens have lost seven out of their last eight games and are currently on a four-game losing streak.
The recent defeats came against Philadelphia Flyers (4-1), Florida Panthers (3-2 after shootout), New York Rangers (4-1) and Washington Capitals (3-2 after shootout).
After playing against Lightning, Canadiens will play two more games in the regular season. One against Carolina Hurricanes and the other against Toronto Maple Leafs.
Predictions
Lightning have an edge.
The sum of goals scored by both teams might be six or more.
If Canadiens win, the winning margin will be less than two goals.
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