Tampa Bay Lightning – Montreal Canadiens: discipline will decide it 
There is no need to fix what is already working when it comes to entertainment. After a wild series opener that ended with a Montreal overtime win, 4-3, the spotlight now shifts straight to the reply. The Tampa Bay Lightning paid dearly for their lack of composure, handing the visitors every chance to punish their indiscipline. The question now is simple: can the hosts tighten up, or will Montreal’s young legs blow the door open again?
Here is our full take on a second game that already feels like it could catch fire.
Tampa Bay: the offence is there, and so are the penalties 
The first game left a sour taste. Even so, the Tampa Bay Lightning showed plenty of positive signs, especially that burst in the second period when they scored twice in less than 30 seconds. Going forward, they are still as dangerous as ever. With Nikita Kucherov coming off a 130-point season, Tampa have the firepower to crack just about any defence.
Hagel’s brace in Game 1 was proof that the threat comes from all over this Tampa side. The real problem is what happens when they do not have the puck. Shipping three goals while down a man was self-inflicted damage of the highest order. If they want to level the series, the Lightning must stay out of the box and still keep their usual bite around the net.
Montreal: ruthless on the power play 
The Canadiens did not exactly run the show, but they were ice-cold when it mattered. Slafkovsky was the star of the night with a hat-trick, showing this team knows how to cash in on Tampa’s mistakes. With Suzuki past the 100-point mark this season and Caufield’s finishing touch, the danger never really goes away.
This is a team that is improving fast and now sits among the league’s best. Their ability to keep their heads when the pressure ramps up, as we saw in overtime, is a huge weapon against Tampa’s experience. If they can keep forcing the hosts into mistakes, the path to a second win is wide open.
NHL Prediction Lightning vs Canadiens
Over 5.5 total goals
Everything points to another goal-filled night. Game 1 had a blistering pace, and the special teams were deadly. With 5 power-play goals out of 7 in total last time out, it is hard not to expect the netminders to be busy again tonight.
On one side, Tampa have the sort of firepower that can slice through any system. On the other, Montreal bring a young, high-octane attack that keeps coming. Given the defensive gaps we have seen recently and the quality of the forwards on the ice, backing over 5.5 total goals looks like the safest play for this matchup. Tampa will need to be at their sharpest to keep a lid on it.
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