Canadiens vs. Lightning Game 2 score, results: Tampa Bay gets outplayed, but takes 2-0 lead vs. Montreal

Montreal out shot Tampa Bay 43-23 but couldn't get the win

The Tampa Bay Lightning took Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final, defeating the Montreal Canadiens 3-1. The defending champions are now up 2-0 over the underdogs.

Montreal came out stronger than in Game 1, but it still wasn't enough to beat Tampa Bay. The Canadiens were ahead on shots on goal for the majority of the game, but despite their aggressiveness on offense, were only able to put the puck in the net once.

The Canadiens were able to defend the power play off the bat, which is no easy task when taking on the Lightning. Montreal looked more comfortable in the first period killing off two early penalties and getting to the first intermission at 0-0. 

The game was tied one-a-piece when the Lightning scored the go-ahead goal with just 0.3 seconds to go in the second period. From there it was all Lightning and they extended their lead in the third to go up 3-1, where the score would stay until the end.  

On Tampa's side, Anthony Cirelli, Blake Coleman Ondrej Palat recorded goals. Montreal's lone scorer was Nick Suzuki.

Cirelli scored in the first period, giving Tampa the lead. Tampa would not trail throughout the game. Suzuki's long goal came during a Canadien's power-play. Coleman's incredible period-ending goal was swift and gave the Lightning the momentum back, and is worth a look:  

Palat's goal with 4:18 left in regulation sealed the deal and put Tampa Bay within two wins of repeating as Stanley Cup champions.

In addition to the timely offense, the Lightning have goaltender Andrei Vasilevsky to thank tonight, as he put on a solid performance with 42 saves.

Tampa Bay defended their home ice over the first two games of the Stanley Cup Final and will now head to Montreal for Game 3 on Friday, July 2 at 8 p.m.

[Jun 30, 2021 at 10:46 pm ET · Shanna McCarriston]

LIGHTNING SCORE: Tampa Bay extends their lead to 3-1 with an Ondrej Palat goal in the third.

[Jun 30, 2021 at 10:01 pm ET · Shanna McCarriston]

Lightning: 2, Canadiens, 1

The Canadiens got on the board in the second period and had a great 20 minutes of hockey, but a Tampa Bay goal with 0.3 seconds to go before intermission put Montreal down once again. The Canadiens have been dominating shots on goal and keeping up with their opponents with more confidence than in Game 1. One more period of regulation to see who takes Game 2.