It was a thrilling Game 3 in Tampa Bay, Florida as Tyler Johnson scored with one second left in the third period to lift the Tampa Bay Lightning over the Montreal Canadiens to extend their series lead to 3-0.
Montreal showed up to play big time. This was a game they NEEDED to win, to keep themselves alive in the Eastern Conference semi-finals of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs. And a great game they played; although it wasn't good enough to lift them to a victory.
Alex Killorn opened up the scoring in the first period at the 12 minute mark to give the Lightning a 1-0 lead, which carried over into the second period. Steven Stamkos notched up the lone assist. The 1-0 lead was a huge factor to end out the first period on a good note for the Tampa.
In the second, it was a joy to watch. Both teams creating great chances, but somehow couldn't convert. With the Lightning still up 1-0, the Canadiens were desperate for an answer. But it wasn't there through 40 minutes of play. They finally got their wish in the third period, when Brenden Gallagher slid home a loose puck under the pads of netminder Ben Bishop. A stunned team in the Lightning, they needed a goal back, and they needed it fast.
With 1:00 remaining in the third period, Tampa Bay pressed the puck, and pressed hard. Shot after shot, they frustrated Montreal who was, surprsingly, playing lazy and hoped to play to overtime. Well, it all changed, and left P.K Subban and the Montreal Canadiens questioning what went wrong. At the 19:59 mark, Ondrej Palat connected with Victor Hedman, who slid a front door pass to Tyler Johnson and put it past goaltender Carey Price to put the Lightning up 2-1 as the game ended. Although it was a definite close call, officials confirmed that the puck did slide past the red line with 1.0 second left on the clock. A puck drop sealed the deal to end the game, and Tampa Bay now lead the series 3-0.
Game 4 between the two teams will be played tomorrow night at the Amelie Arena in Tampa Bay, Florida. Tyler Johnson leads the playoffs with 8 goals.