Overview
- The matchup in Tampa, which starts at 7 p.m. ET Wednesday, follows four one-goal games with three decided in overtime.
- Andrei Vasilevskiy and Jakub Dobeš have turned away most shots from distance, keeping scores low and putting a premium on chances near the crease.
- Montreal holds a special-teams edge so far, converting 26.3% of power plays to Tampa Bay’s 20.0% according to Natural Stat Trick and NHL.com.
- Brandon Hagel leads all scorers with six goals on a striking 66.7% shooting rate that has driven key Lightning offense.
- Montreal expects Brendan Gallagher to return, with Oliver Kapanen likely scratched, according to Sportsnaut’s lineup projection.