It took 81 games to find an opponent this year, but after the Tampa Bay Lightning’s overtime win against the Detroit Red Wings, and the Buffalo Sabres’ regulation win against the Chicago Blackhawks, the playoff match-ups are set. Well, at least for the Lightning. Since Buffalo won in regulation, they hold the tiebreaker over Tampa Bay and clinched the Atlantic Division. So that means the Lightning and Montreal Canadiens will face-off in the playoffs for the fifth time in history.
While the match-up is set, home ice is still up for grabs and the Lightning control their own destiny. Even if Montreal beats Philadelphia on Tuesday, the Bolts can grab the advantage if they beat the New York Rangers on Wednesday. If Montreal loses their final game in regulation, the Bolts will take the number two seed despite the outcome of their game.
The Lightning and Habs have met four previous times in the playoffs with the Lightning winning three of the series:
2003-04 – Second Round – Lightning win 4-0
2013-14 – First Round – Canadiens win 4-0
2014-15 – Second Round – Lightning win 4-2
2020-21 – Stanley Cup Final – Lightning win 4-1
It’s worth noting that each time the Lightning beat the Canadiens in the postseason, they ended up playing in the Stanley Cup Final.
As for the season series, the Lightning went 2-2-0 against Montreal this year.
First meeting – 6-1 Lightning in Montreal
Second meeting – 5-4 Lightning shootout win in Tampa
Third meeting – 4-1 Canadiens in Tampa
Fourth meeting – 2-1 Canadiens in Montreal
Of course, all bets are off once it comes to the playoffs. The slate will be clean for both teams and prior meetings will have little to no bearing on the outcome of the series.
Buckle up, folks, the ride is about to get really fun!
