Canadiens Preview: Opportunity To Take Over Series Versus Lightning

TL;DR

The Montreal Canadiens will face the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 4, aiming to take a series lead. The Canadiens won the last game 3-2 in overtime, marking their third consecutive overtime matchup against the Lightning.

Key points

Montreal Canadiens lead series 2-1
Game 4 scheduled for 7 pm ET
Last game ended in 3-2 overtime win for Canadiens
Three consecutive overtime games in the series
Canadiens have advantage in high-danger scoring chances

Montreal CanadiensTampa Bay Lightning

Eric Bolte-Imagn Images

The Montreal Canadiens (2-1) will host the Tampa Bay Lightning (1-2) in Game 4 on Sunday, with the puck drop scheduled for 7 pm ET.

The Habs emerged with a 3-2 overtime win on Friday, marking the third consecutive game in which these teams necessitated extra time to decide a winner.

On the surface, it may seem like a closely-fought battle, but once we delve into the numbers a little, it becomes clear that the Canadiens have held a significant advantage in a very important category: high-danger scoring chances.

In fact, heading into Sunday’s game, the Canadiens had controlled 75% of the quality scoring chances, far and away the best result of any playoff team through three games. This doesn’t necessarily mean they’re dominating the Lightning, but it’s an important development for the Habs, as they usually struggle when it comes to controlling the best chances in a period, let alone an entire series.

You could argue that Tampa Bay’s obsession with greasy hockey is backfiring, as the Canadiens have not only created four times more high-danger scoring chances, they’re also out hitting the Bolts in the process, with defenceman Arber Xhekaj and forward Josh Anderson leading the physical charge.

Xhekaj has also produced some of the best numbers among all NHL defencemen in the playoffs, forming a very solid alongside .