Montreal's Special Teams Dominance

0:00It's April 23rd, from the locker room to your ears, this is NHL News today, powered by AI. I'm Corey with the story. Special teams are owning the early games in this Montreal Canadiens versus Tampa Bay Lightning Playoff series. Through the first two games, the halves have scored four out of their six goals on the power play, hitting a scorching 44.4% efficiency. Their penalty kill is holding steady at 75% against one of the league's deadliest units. Tampa Bay's power play stars, like Nikita Kutcherov, Braden Point and Jake Gwinsel, haven't lit it up yet, thanks to Montreal's pressure and smart play. The lightning look frustrated, gripping sticks tighter when they hit the ice shorthanded. That frustration shows in Tampa's penalties, costly ones that Montreal's punishing right back. The halves stay cool, avoiding scrums and bait, keeping discipline tight against these vets. But even strength is where Montreal needs to step up. Josh Anderson's the only five on five score so far, and chances aren't finishing.

1:02Relying just on special teams won't cut it, as Refs call less in the series heats up. If the Canadiens balance that five on five attack with their special teams edge, they could pull ahead for real. Keeping Tampa off balance just got a whole lot more interesting.