Flash Points: Sweep in sight after Lightning take Game 3 in electric fashion

By foxsports
Published

TAMPA, Fla. -- A chance at the sweep remains secure.

The Tampa Bay Lightning stand one victory from the Eastern Conference Finals, after beating the Montreal Canadiens 2-1 on Wednesday night at Amalie Arena. Once more, Ben Bishop stood tall with 30 saves. Once more, the Lightning relied on strong defense and just-good-enough offense to take a commanding 3-0 lead in this best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinals series.

The first score came from Alex Killorn with 12 minutes gone in the first period, made possible by an impressive assist from Steven Stamkos. Then Tyler Johnson produced the decisive goal just one second before the buzzer in the third period, breaking a one-all tie after Brendan Gallagher had scored 10:03 into the period. The Canadiens outshot the Lightning 31-19, but Tampa Bay held on nonetheless.

The result creates a somewhat surprising scenario: The Lightning have a chance to close out the Atlantic Division champions in a mere four games.

At this point, is there any doubt that Tampa Bay has scrambled Montreal's mind? At the very least, frustration must be a common feeling among the Canadiens. Tampa Bay continues to treat Montreal like a chew toy.

After this outcome, both teams will have little time to study what happened in Game 3. Game 4 is scheduled for Thursday night at Amalie Arena in the back end of a rare scenario in which playoff games will be played on consecutive days.

Is a sweep possible?

Certainly.

Was this foreseen?

Kudos if you saw this coming.

THE TURNING POINT

What else? Johnson's decisive goal.

THE DIFFERENCE MAKER

On a night when his team didn't do a whole lot offensively, Bishop was strong again. He has allowed just four goals in this series.

STAT OF THE GAME

The Lightning improved to 8-0 against the Canadiens this season. Think Tampa Bay is inside Montreal's head a little bit?

WHAT'S NEXT

The Lightning face the Canadiens in Game 4 at 7 p.m. Thursday at Amalie Arena.

You can follow Andrew Astleford on Twitter @aastleford or email him at aastleford@gmail.com.