Tuesday night at Benchmark International Arena, however, not so much. <\/p>\n
It was Slafkovsky\u2019s third-period turnover \u2014\u00a0a blind pass into the middle of the ice \u2014\u00a0that resulted in a turnover and, eventually, Nikita Kucherov\u2019s tying goal with less than eight minutes remaining in regulation time. The Lightning then won it, almost 13 minutes into overtime, on a goal by defenceman J.J. Moser to tie the best-of-seven series.<\/p>\n
Sometimes it\u2019s easy to forget Slafkovsky, selected first overall in 2022, is only 22. He\u2019ll learn.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
But wait, there\u2019s more: Slafkovsky was far from the only Canadiens culprit on this night. Kirby Dach simply had to take one more stride in overtime to avoid an icing call. He didn\u2019t. That\u2019s totally unacceptable. The Lightning scored the winning goal off the ensuing faceoff in Montreal territory.<\/p>\n
And we\u2019re not finished yet: How in thunderation does a team go 12 minutes and 48 seconds of overtime without producing a shot on net? This is the NHL, for crying out loud.<\/p>\n
Faceoff of the night: Anthony Cirelli beat Nick Suzuki. Six seconds later, Moser scored his first career playoff goal.<\/p>\n
Animal Farm: Open ice was created for Moser following what appeared to be a pick play by Kucherov on Dach. Kucherov scored 44 goals and 130 points this season and, in Gary Bettman\u2019s NHL, rules don\u2019t appear to apply to him. In the first period, Kucherov hit Josh Anderson from behind on a play. Anderson didn\u2019t have the puck. No penalty was assessed. In the second period, Kucherov knocked the stick out of Anderson\u2019s grasp. No penalty was assessed. We also detected a nice dive by Kucherov \u2014\u00a0worthy of a 9.8 score from the Olympic judges \u2014\u00a0that resulted in a hooking penalty against Kaiden Guhle<\/a>. All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others in George Orwell\u2019s brilliant novel and Bettman\u2019s NHL.<\/p>\n \t\tSee also\t<\/p>\n Dope of the night: Scott Sabourin spent all game trying to get under Anderson\u2019s skin \u2014\u00a0without success. He spoke to the veteran early in the game, while awaiting a faceoff, clearly looking to fight. Then, late in regulation time, he blindsided Anderson, drawing an interference penalty. Sabourin, who was making his series debut, has 73 NHL regular-season games to his credit over six seasons, including 26 this season. He scored one goal, added four assists and had 89 penalty minutes while averaging 7:57 of ice time.<\/p>\n These guys aren\u2019t choir boys either: Alex Newhook got away with a stick to the face of Dominic James in overtime. James was cut to the mouth. No penalty was assessed.<\/p>\n Sometimes it\u2019s just not meant to be: In the final minute of the third period, while Sabourin was penalized, Lane Hutson hit the post.<\/p>\n The last line of defence: Canadiens goalie Jakub Dobes<\/a> deserved a better fate. It was impossible for him to stop Kucherov\u2019s wraparound goal. He faced nine shots in overtime \u2014 and 34 in total \u2014\u00a0until Moser scored, and did everything but stand on his head. His save percentage was .912.<\/p>\n News you need (Part I): This was the 89th career playoff win for Lightning head coach Jon Cooper, tying him with Glen Sather.<\/p>\n News you need (Part II): Cole Caufield<\/a>, who scored 51 times this season, has yet to beat Andrei Vasilevskiy. He was held to one shot on Tuesday. His goal differential was minus-2. Caufield had two shots on Sunday.<\/p>\n News you need (Part III): That was some first period on Tuesday. It took 47 minutes to be played and the teams combined for 32 penalty minutes \u2014\u00a018 by Tampa Bay. Somehow, the boys settled down from there.<\/p>\n Down goes Frazier: Slafkovsky doesn\u2019t fight often, but he dropped the gloves against Brandon Hagel in the second period. Slafkovsky scored early, but fell from an overhand right, arising immediately. Give Hagel the split decision.<\/p>\n Sometimes, shots are overrated: Tampa Bay didn\u2019t register its first shot until 8:40. History will note the shot, from Hagel, beat Dobes.<\/p>\n Good things happen when you go to the net: Anderson\u2019s go-ahead goal in the second period \u2014\u00a0his second in as many games<\/a>.<\/p>\n Pass of the night: Phillip Danault to Anderson.<\/p>\n News you need (Part IV): Kucherov\u2019s goal was his first in 17 playoff games, dating to April 18, 2023 against Toronto. Some guys are made for the regular season. Some are made for the playoffs. We\u2019ll let you figure out which category fits Kucherov.<\/p>\n![\"Canadiens'](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/435792_shad_23_sp_lite042226_302715031.jpg\")
Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Brandon Hagel (38) fights with Canadiens left wing Juraj Slafkovsky (20) during the second period in Game 2 of the first round of the NHL playoffs Tuesday, April 21, 2026 in Tampa. Dirk Shadd \/ Tampa Bay Times<\/p>\n
![\"Canadiens](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/435793_sant_8_sp_lite042226_302715103.jpg\")
Canadiens centre Kirby Dach (77) flies off the back of Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov (86) in the first period during Game 2 on Tuesday, April 21, 2026 in Tampa. Luis Santana \/ Tampa Bay Times<\/p>\n