Montreal vs Lightning Game 7 Preview

Game 6 in Montreal had everything you expect from playoff hockey – pace, chaos, turnovers, and elite goaltending. But for Tampa Bay, structural issues continue to chase them.

To start, lineup decisions raised questions. Crozier was left out, and D’Astous was back in after missing four games. With Brayden Point (one goal) and Anthony Cirelli’s (two assists) offensive struggles, the coaching staff doesn’t seem to have any interest in changing anything. There is no presence near the Montreal Canadiens’ goalie crease, and nobody to get rebounds. It’s one of the reasons power plays don’t work, and offense doesn’t produce enough from night to night. Corey Perry is an expert in the area, but considering a lack of ice time, Cooper and his assistants don’t trust him. 

Meanwhile, Martin St. Louis made some interesting and effective adjustments in Game 6. Montreal leaned into pairing two fast, skilled forwards with a physical presence. Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, and Josh Anderson created a balance of speed and force that constantly challenged Tampa’s defensive reads.

Early in the first period, Tampa showed signs of discomfort under pressure, icing the puck twice in just 19 seconds. That sequence set the tone – rushed decisions, turnovers, and an inability to exit their zone.

As the game settled in, another issue became clear. Tampa generated shots, but not quality. Too many attempts came from the perimeter – right sharp angles and corners. More importantly, there was no presence in front of the Habs’ net. No screens. No rebounds. No one was making life difficult for Montreal’s goalie, Jakub Dobes.

The game could have tilted either way, especially during a sequence in which Tampa hit two posts on the same attack, or Montreal, a perfect example of how close and far they were at the same time.

However, another concern arose during the transitions. The Lightning blueliners pinched. When an opponent got the puck instead of skating backward, the Bolts’ defensemen, situated on the blue line, started attacking face-to-face. The problem with that situation was Tampa never had the high F3 – someone to support. Defense must play simply and help Vasilevskiy (not create more turnovers, penalties, and odd-man rushes). 

The special teams struggled again, lacking rhythm, decisiveness, and shots. The Bolts’ power play is a Nightmare on the Channelside Drive. The pressure on Nikita Kucherov is real – less time, less space – but it doesn’t justify his turnovers outweighing production. He has six points in six games. But Kucherov, at times, makes “youth hockey” mistakes and needs to be more accountable for them. He logged in two penalty minutes for tripping in overtime, adding even more stress and raising the stakes in a critical situation. Surely, many Tampa fans got new grey hair after surviving that. 

And yet, hockey often comes down to moments – and Kucherov delivered one. Fresh out of the penalty box, he exploded with speed, cutting through four Canadiens on the ice. Even while being tripped, he still managed to get a shot off. He was a dynamic, instinctive, and elite player out there. That’s kind of what is needed every game. Ideally. 

That sequence captured the paradox of Tampa’s evening. The ability is there. The flashes are undeniable. But Vasilevskiy is the one who creates miracles for the Lightning. He needs more support from his team. 

What’s the Game 7 plan? The defensive structure, support, net-front presence, and decision-making under pressure. If Tampa wants to move forward, they don’t need more talent but discipline and accountability; it can seize the moment. Game 7 is their opportunity to prove it. 

At the end of the day, both goaltenders were outstanding, keeping their teams alive.

Make sure to fulfill your valerian root reserves before Game 7 on Sunday. 

Originally published on Tampa Bay Sports Journal.