The Montreal Canadiens have played their first game against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Eastern Conference semi-finals, and it ended in a 2-1 overtime loss for the Habs. There is plenty to discuss about this game, most of it good. There is controversy – times two. But it was an all-round good game, except for the outcome.
The Habs did what they had to do: they came out strong, they stayed strong throughout 3 periods and into a 2nd overtime. They dominated the puck, their turnovers were recovered quickly, and they had chances that – right from the beginning – were excellent, though unproductive.