In Tampa, the Lightning could not hold a lead in their game with the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday.
In the end, it cost them in a 5-4 loss to the Habs after the skills portion of the evening’s affairs.
“We talk about being process driven and not so much result driven,” Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis said. “I think the result will just come along if you just focus on the process and I think we did a good job of that tonight.”
Nick Suzuki was credited with the deciding goal in the skills competition.
Jake Allen made 37 saves in the Montreal win.
Steve Stamkos and Anthony Cirelli staked the Lightning to an early 2-0 lead.
“Too many turnovers, too many odd-mans given up,” Cirelli said. “One of the things we talk about is limiting the other team’s rush chances and we gave up too many tonight.”
The Lightning dropped to 43-18-7.
“A lot of really bad mental mistakes,” Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper said. “It’s too bad. We’ve got to fight through that. It’s a tough League and anybody can beat anybody. You can’t make those mental mistakes we made tonight, all throughout the lineup.”
Cole Caufield got the Habs on the board to cut the Tampa lead to 2-1.
“I think we talk about not getting too caught up in the result, whether it’s a loss or a period when you’re down,” St. Louis said. “If you self-assess really well it’s a lot easier to grow individually and as a team. I thought we did that because it was a really good first period and it would’ve been easy to get caught up with the score.”
Nikita Kucherov and Brayden Point also had goals for Tampa.
“Just missed assignments, I don’t know if it’s fatigue or what,” Point said. “Just sloppy tonight.”
Corey Schueneman and Josh Anderson scored to tie the game, 3-3, after Kucherov had pushed the lead for Tampa to 3-1.
Montreal’s Jesse Ylonen forced the extra session with a tying goal early in the third period for a 4-4 score.
“They’re a fast team and I think they were beating us up ice tonight,” Point said. “They were creating too many odd mans that way. If we’re being honest we’re lucky to get one tonight.”
Brian Elliott made 27 saves in the Lightning loss, Tampa is now tied for second place in the Atlantic Division.
You must be logged in to post a comment.