After the Tampa Bay Lightning struck first in the Stanley Cup Final, the pressure was on the Montreal Canadiens to even the series.
Fresh off their 5-1 win on Monday, the Lightning returned to assume the canadians in Game 2 in Tampa, Florida, with their sights set on a commanding series lead.
Despite the incredible effort of the Canadiens, that’s exactly what Tampa Bay got. Behind an impressive performance from their goaltender and a ludicrous goal, the Lightning won 3-1 on Wednesday to go up 2-0 in the Stanley Cup Final.
Here are the best moments from Game 2.
The fans in Florida were ready to go.
Andrei Vasilevskiy continued his excellent work from Game 1 to the beginning of Game 2.
For more up-to-date news on all things LightningClick here to sign up for alerts on the FOX Sports app.
It wasn’t a stick, no problem for Brendan Gallagher.
Lightning had the first power play of the game early in the first period, but they couldn’t do anything with it.
Then came another power play, but there was still nothing to show for the Lightning as Carey Price denied Tampa Bay’s best tries.
For more up-to-date news on all things canadiansClick here to sign up for alerts on the FOX Sports app.
Apart from an excellent job from the goalkeepers, the story of the first half was the penalties. At one point, the two teams had three men in the box.
Even so, both teams ended the first half goalless.
Finally, the goal kicked off in the second, with Anthony Cirelli getting past Price to give Rayo a 1-0 lead.
The lead didn’t last long, as the Canadiens fired back on the next power play on a Nick Suzuki goal.
Then, with 0.3 seconds left in the second, Blake Coleman gave the Lighting a 2-1 lead with this ridiculous dive score.
It was a tough way to end the frame after the Canadiens put up a strong fight in the second period.
The fans felt… patriotic? …to start third period.
Social media kept buzzing about Coleman’s goal, which apparently wasn’t a new move from him.
Price continued to fight in goal for the Habs as his team battled to tie the game.
That’s not to say that the goalie on the other side was being outplayed. No way.
The Lightning broke through once again with this Ondrej Palat goal, his fifth of the postseason, on a Canadiens turnover.
Behind Vasilevskiy’s incredible 42-save performance, the Lightning held on from there to take Game 2 and a 2-0 lead in the Finals.
The teams will travel to Montreal for Game 3, which begins at 8 pm ET on Friday (NBC).
For more up-to-date news on all things NHLClick here to sign up for alerts on the FOX Sports app.
Get more from the National Hockey League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more