The Montreal Canadiens were quietly heading for a surprise victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning, but Corey Perry helped bring the reigning Stanley Cup champions back as late as it was unexpected. On their first visit to the Bell Center since July, they won 3 to 2 on Tuesday evening.
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It was time for the reunion between the two finalist teams for the 2020-2021 season. Due to injuries and a few starts, CH only fielded eight of the 20 players who took part in the decisive match last summer.
Since then, Perry has changed sides and it was he who created the tie as the Canadian led 2-1 with just two minutes left in regular time. The veteran outmaneuvered Jake Allen at close range, as the Lightning pulled their keeper out.
Moments later, Ondrej Palat completed the turnaround by scoring in turn.
Highs and lows
As in the playoffs, Nick Suzuki answered the call, with a goal and an assist. He leveled the score early in the second period, picking up a throwback from David Savard, who had come deep into Tampa Bay territory.
Three minutes later, Suzuki won a face-off near Andrei Vasilevskiy. Mike Hoffman quickly grabbed the puck before surprising the Russian goalie with a precise shot. For the young center player, this is a 100th point in his career in the National Hockey League.
Kale Clague was not part of the finalist edition of the CH. The one who was claimed on waivers on Saturday was playing a first game with the Canadian, but one of his blunders allowed the “Bolts” to open the scoring.
Behind his net, Clague tried to clear the puck, but his sluggish throw-in ended up on the stick of Patrick Maroon, who was quick to beat Allen, halfway through the first period.
The Canadian lost the services of striker Christian Dvorak in the second period. Details of his injury have not been released.
Dominique Ducharme’s men will stay at home to receive a visit from the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday.