The Montreal Canadiens are officially one win away from securing a major upset series victory over the favored Tampa Bay Lightning following Game 5 in Tampa. According to Pierre LeBrun, the Habs have put themselves in a position to eliminate the defending contenders after a pivotal performance on the road.
Per Pierre LeBrun and Arpon Basu, who reported from the arena tonight, the Canadiens have successfully pushed the Lightning to the brink of elimination. The Habs entered this series as significant underdogs, but their play through the first five games has shifted the momentum entirely in their favor.
With the series lead now firmly in their grasp, Montreal returns home with the opportunity to clinch the series and advance. The Lightning, who were the heavy favorites to win the series, now face a must-win situation to keep their season alive. Further takeaways from the matchup suggest that Montreal's defensive structure and execution have been the deciding factors in this late-series surge.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Sources & Original Reporting
