NHL Playoffs 2014, Lightning vs. Canadiens final score: Montreal takes with 4-1 win

The Montreal Canadiens came into Friday night’s game looking to take advantage of what seemed to be a possibly fatal goalie situation with the Tampa Bay Lightning and boy did they take advantage. Not only did the Habs make it out to Tampa Bay with a 2-0 series lead, they chased netminder Anders Lindback in the third period after scoring their third goal of the game.

Lindback was replaced by Kristers Gudļevskis who proceeded to give up the fourth team goal of the night in the 4-1 loss to the Canadiens.

It was a great night for Rene Bourque who picked up a pair of goals and was joined in the scoring barrage by David Desharnais and Brendan Gallagher. It was looking to be a shutout win for Habs goalie Carey Price until Teddy Purcell broke that up with Tampa Bay’s only goal on the night, which came late in the third period.

While the Bolts are far from being done, as the series could be turned around in a single game, it appears that the road back into the series will be one roughly traveled. For starters, the Lightning have no idea who their starting goalie will be in Game 3 as Ben Bishop remains out, Anders Lindback was chased and Kristers Gudļevskis is unproven.

This is all good news for Habs fans looking to see this series closed out in Montreal. That’s the scenario facing both teams as we enter the next two games of their first round matchup as the Bolts need a win in Game 3 and the Habs have a perfect chance to cut off Tampa Bay’s oxygen in game 3 and choke them out in a fourth and likely final game next week.