2021 Stanley Cup Final: Lightning strike first and often in 5-1 Game 1 rout over Canadiens

Tampa handled the Habs easily in the series opener

It was all Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 1 of the 2021 Stanley Cup Final on Monday night. The defending champions got on the board early and often in their 5-1 rout of the Montreal Canadiens in Game 1

Once Tampa went up 1-0, they were able to keep the lead the entire game. Montreal was just never able to get the momentum to keep up with the Lightning and the difference in play was clear on the ice.

For Tampa it was a team effort, with a lot of players getting a piece of the puck. Nikita Kucherov was responsible for two goals and one assist, Brayden Point had three assists, Erik Cernak had one goal, Yanni Gourde had one goal, Ondrej Palat had an assist and Steven Stamkos had a goal.

On the other side of the puck, it was a drastically different story. Ben Chiarot recording the only goal of the night for the Habs.

The Lightning now lead the series, 1-0, and are three wins away from doing something that an NHL team hasn't done in half a decade: win back-to-back championships. The two teams will meet for Game 2 on Wednesday, June 30 at 8 p.m. right back at Amalie Arena in Florida.

[Jun 28, 2021 at 10:57 pm ET · Shanna McCarriston]

LIGHTNING WIN: Tampa Bay takes Game 1, 5-1.

[Jun 28, 2021 at 10:56 pm ET · Shanna McCarriston]

LIGHTNING SCORE (again) - Tampa Bay gets an even more comfortable lead, going up 5-1.

[Jun 28, 2021 at 10:39 pm ET · Shanna McCarriston]

It's the Lightning on the board once again. Nikita Kucherov getting this one in the net to put Tampa Bay up 4-1 with less than nine minutes to play in the third period.

[Jun 28, 2021 at 10:23 pm ET · Shanna McCarriston]

And just like that, the Lightning extend their lead in the third period. Ondřej Palát makes it a 3-1 game.