The Montreal Canadiens have had six opportunities, and they haven’t beaten the Tampa Bay Lightning this season.
When the Atlantic Division rivals meet next in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series, the Canadiens will still bring plenty of confidence to their home ice.
Their chances to score in Game 1 were plenty. They’re counting on many more tonight.
“We’re around the net. We’re getting it toward the net. We’re doing everything right. It’s just not going in,” said right wing Devante Smith-Pelly, who was denied twice by Lightning goalie Ben Bishop in a 2-1 double- overtime loss.
The Canadiens, who swept the Lightning in four games in the first round of the playoffs last year, went 0-5 against them during the regular season with Bishop, who made 43 saves in the opener on Friday night at the Bell Centre, in the net each time. Thirteen of Bishop’s stops came after regulation.