The Tampa Bay Lightning faced a tough challenge tonight at the Amalie Arena. After having four days off during the Christmas break, the Lightning got back to business by kicking off yet another back-to-back series by taking on the Atlantic-Division leading Montreal Canadiens.
Before the Lightning took the ice tonight to take on the Canadiens, the team received some rather good news. Lightning leading goal-scorer Nikita Kucherov and his linemate Ondrej Palat would both make their returns to the ice. Unfortunately, the Bolts would lose another play as well.