3 Random Thoughts from Canadiens 3-2 Win Over the Lightning
The Montreal Canadiens didn’t make it easy on themselves, but they got the job done. And that’s really all that matters this time of year. A 3–2 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 5 gives Montreal a 3–2 series lead, and suddenly, the possibilities of the Canadiens moving on feel very real.
But what looked like a controlled, tidy third period turned into chaos in the final minutes, with Tampa pouring on pressure and Montreal hanging on for dear life. At one point, the Canadiens were calmly managing the game — then the Lightning rattled off a barrage of shots, icings piled up, and the ice tilted hard. It was playoff hockey in its rawest form. Shot blocks, desperation clears, and a young Habs goalie standing tall. In the end, Montreal survived, and now they’re heading home with a chance to close it out.
Three Takeaways from Game 5:
Takeaway One: The Canadiens’ Shot Blocking Was the Story.
Montreal finished with 16 blocked shots, but it felt like even more. When the game got away from them late, they didn’t panic — they sacrificed. Lanes were clogged, bodies were thrown in front of everything, and they trusted their goalie to bail them out. It was as committed hockey as fans will ever see.
Takeaway Two: Dobes Held His Ground When It Got Wild.
As Tampa pushed late, Montreal leaned heavily on its goaltender. The Lightning had some dangerous looks — especially off faceoffs and broken plays — but Dobes came up big. The Canadiens clearly trusted him, even giving up some outside looks and saying, “You’ve got this.” And he did.
Takeaway Three: The Canadiens Are Learning, But They Are Playoff-Ready.
If there’s one concern, it’s Montreal’s decision-making under pressure. Late in the game, there were moments when they threw the puck away instead of making controlled plays. That’s the kind of thing head coach Martin St. Louis will absolutely clean up. That’s the kind of detail that gets cleaned up with experience — and this time, it didn’t cost them. On the flip side, the young Canadiens showed resilience. Even when things got messy, they didn’t fold.
Can the Canadiens Win Game 6 at Home?
Now it gets interesting. Game 6 in Montreal, under what feels like it could be a full-on electric atmosphere — maybe even a little “full moon chaos” thrown in for good measure. The Bell Centre is going to be buzzing, no question.
The Canadiens have the edge now, but closing a series is a different beast. Tampa isn’t going quietly, and we just saw how dangerous they can be when they push. If Montreal can tighten up its puck management and avoid those late-game scrambles, they’ve got a real shot to finish this.
That said, if it turns into another track meet late? Buckle up — because Game 6 could get wild. If not? Then we’re right back to chaos — and that’s a game Tampa would love.