Here are my three takeaways from tonight’s 3-2 Montreal Canadiens overtime win against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
1 – Bell Centre at its best
The Bell Centre showed once again why it has the reputation of being the best building in the league, with the best fans.
Montreal always does it right, and the first home playoff game at the Bell Centre this season was no exception. From Yvan Cournoyer carrying in the torch, to the fire pyrotechnics, to Michel Lacroix’s brilliant introduction of the Canadiens lineup, and the deafening roar of the crowd, it’s hard to top what this place offers.
And if you think Montreal doesn’t support its players, or that it’s a hard place to play, all you had to do was listen to the reception Kirby Dach received all night after his difficult Game 2.
2 – Dach has a bounce-back game
Head coach Martin St. Louis liked the way his team played for most of Game 2, and with the series tied 1-1, he didn’t feel the need to make a lineup change. All season long, Montreal’s coach has trusted his instincts, and considering how often he’s been right, he’s shown he has a strong pulse on his team.
He was proven right again, not only by keeping Dach in the lineup despite most fans wanting him scratched, myself included, but also by making some subtle line adjustments. Dach rewarded that confidence by starting the rush that led to Alexandre Texier’s opening goal, then scoring himself in the second period to tie the game at two.
The line of Zach Bolduc, Alexandre Texier, and Dach was Montreal’s most dangerous group at 5-on-5 and created matchup problems for Tampa Bay’s bottom six. It’s hard not to feel good for Dach after the criticism he took following the end of Game 2.
3 – Hutson plays hero
Lane Hutson has turned into a shooter in the playoffs, and he came through with a huge blast in overtime to win it for Montreal.
It could have been a night of missed opportunities if the Canadiens had lost, after missing three breakaways and going scoreless on the power play. Instead, they take a 2-1 series lead in front of an electric crowd.
Last postseason against Washington, Hutson looked overwhelmed at times, and it served as a reminder that playoff hockey is nothing like the regular season. Lesson learned.
Through three games, he’s been Montreal’s best defenseman and now has the biggest goal of the season, to date.
Mitch Gallo is co-host of ‘Campbell vs. Gallo,’ as well as Canadiens pre- and post-game coverage on TSN Radio 690 in Montreal. You can follow him on ‘X’ at @MitchyGallo.