Here are my three takeaways from Tuesday’s 3-2 Montreal Canadiens overtime loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
1 - Kirby Dach had a brutal end to the game
Dach was invisible through the first six periods of the series, and then stood out for all the wrong reasons in overtime. He had the shift of all shifts, in the worst way possible, making four costly mistakes that ended up costing Montreal the game.
It started with him chasing his man, allowing the Lightning to build speed through the neutral zone and gain clean entry.
When the Canadiens regained possession, he turned the puck over. He then got it back and iced it. Off the ensuing faceoff, he got turnstiled, which led directly to the game-winning goal.
It was already becoming difficult to justify his spot in the lineup beyond his size, and performances like this won’t help.
There are better options waiting for an opportunity, most notably Joe Veleno. Brendan Gallagher could also be an option, if nothing else, you know he’ll bring energy.
A change feels inevitable. We’ll see what Martin St. Louis decides to do.
2 - Montreal’s top line invisible at 5-on-5
One advantage Tampa Bay has had through the first two games is the line of Brandon Hagel, Anthony Cirelli, and Jake Guentzel putting a warm blanket over Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, and Juraj Slafkovsky.
While Montreal’s top guys have had their moments, all of the production has come on special teams.
The issue for Tampa Bay is that they’re extremely top-heavy. Gage Goncalves isn’t a top-six player, Brayden Point doesn’t look like himself, and Nikita Kucherov is becoming increasingly frustrated.
With the series shifting to the Bell Centre, Cooper won’t be able to dictate the matchups. It should turn into a pretty fun game of cat and mouse between the two coaches.
3 - Playoff Josh Anderson shows up again
No player has elevated his game more through the first two playoff games than Josh Anderson.
He’s been shot out of a cannon, is Montreal’s most physically engaged player, in a group that already brings plenty and he’s driving the Lightning crazy while scoring timely goals.
Playing this way over 82 games isn’t realistic, but in the playoffs, it’s exactly what you need.
Anderson brings an element Montreal has been missing for a long time. At this rate, he might even be earning himself another contract in Montreal based on what he’s done over the last two postseasons. And it’s no coincidence he seems to love playing Tampa Bay, he has 10 career playoff goals, and half of them have come against the Lightning.
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.
