Kucherov's pair helps Lightning eliminate Canadiens in Game 6
The Tampa Bay Lightning know the best Game 7 is the one they don't have to play.
Nikita Kucherov scored twice while Steven Stamkos and Ondrej Palat added goals as Tampa Bay advanced to its first Eastern Conference final since 2011 with a 4-1 win over the Montreal Canadiens in Tuesday's Game 6.
The Lightning prevailed 4-2 in the second-round series after squandering two opportunities to eliminate the Canadiens. Montreal appeared to be in control after winning Games 4 and 5, but Tampa Bay set the pace in Game 6 and didn't look back.
Star Performer: Kucherov book-ended the scoring in the contest, tipping in the game's first goal and closing it with an empty-netter while also assisting on Palat's power-play goal. He finished the second round with a series-high six goals.
Turning Point: Palat deflated the Canadiens with his goal late in the second period. Montreal was beginning to assert itself after a lackluster first period, but a Tampa Bay tally with 1:04 remaining in the second was too much to overcome.
Goalie Comparison: Carey Price can't be faulted for his team's defeat. He didn't play his best game of the series but was also the only reason the Canadiens made it to Game 6. Ben Bishop was as good as he needed to be in net for Tampa Bay, coming close to a shutout on an otherwise uneventful night in the Lightning's crease.
| Goalie | Shots | GA | Saves | SV% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | 27 | 3 | 24 | .889 |
| Bishop | 19 | 1 | 18 | .947 |
Top Highlight: Goals have been hard to come by for Stamkos in the postseason, but he finished the second round strong with a beautiful goal to extend his point streak to five games. The Lightning captain dragged the puck back in the slot and used Jeff Petry as a screen, firing a shot between the Montreal defenseman's legs and past Price for the eventual winning goal.
Stat of the Night: The Canadiens were 0-for-2 on the power play in Game 6 and 1-for-16 in the series.
Series at a glance
Game 1: Lightning 2, Canadiens 1
Game 2: Lightning 6, Canadiens 2
Game 3: Lightning 2, Canadiens 1
Game 4: Canadiens 6, Lightning 2
Game 5: Canadiens 2, Lightning 1
Game 6: Lightning 4, Canadiens 1