Nikita Kucherov had his goal overturned in the first period, but that did not stop him from lifting the Tampa Bay Lightning. Kucherov came back to score 2:06 into the second overtime period to give the Lightning a 2-1 win over the Montreal Canadiens in game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals on Friday night.
Tampa Bay was outshot 44-35 on the night, but received some breaks when David Desharnais and Max Pacioretty hit the post. Tyler Johnson netted the only regulation goal for the Lightning, his NHL-leading seventh of the playoffs in the third period. Pacioretty scored with 5:13 left in regulation to tie the game a 1-apiece.
The ending of the game was surrounded in controversy, as replayed showed that the Lightning were offside on the play that led to the game-winning goal. It was 12 seconds later that Kucherov found the back of the net for the win. Kucherov's goal at 2:56 of the first overtime period was overturned after he went crashing into goalie Carey Price on a breakaway attempt.
Price made 33 saves on the night, while Ben Bishop countered by stopping 43 shots in the win.
Kucherov was the hero despite being bumped down a line with the return of J.T. Brown to the Tampa Bay lineup. Steven Stamkos appeared to jam his wrist early on, but stayed in the game and will be checked out before game 2.
After winning all 5 regular-season meetings with the Canadiens, Tampa Bay has now won 6 in a row this season against their division rival.
Game 2 of the series will be back in Montreal on Sunday night.
Tampa Bay was outshot 44-35 on the night, but received some breaks when David Desharnais and Max Pacioretty hit the post. Tyler Johnson netted the only regulation goal for the Lightning, his NHL-leading seventh of the playoffs in the third period. Pacioretty scored with 5:13 left in regulation to tie the game a 1-apiece.
The ending of the game was surrounded in controversy, as replayed showed that the Lightning were offside on the play that led to the game-winning goal. It was 12 seconds later that Kucherov found the back of the net for the win. Kucherov's goal at 2:56 of the first overtime period was overturned after he went crashing into goalie Carey Price on a breakaway attempt.
Price made 33 saves on the night, while Ben Bishop countered by stopping 43 shots in the win.
Kucherov was the hero despite being bumped down a line with the return of J.T. Brown to the Tampa Bay lineup. Steven Stamkos appeared to jam his wrist early on, but stayed in the game and will be checked out before game 2.
After winning all 5 regular-season meetings with the Canadiens, Tampa Bay has now won 6 in a row this season against their division rival.
Game 2 of the series will be back in Montreal on Sunday night.
