Music: {allcanada} LIGHTNING (25-12-4) at CANADIENS (26-11-2)

Monday, January 5, 2015

{allcanada} LIGHTNING (25-12-4) at CANADIENS (26-11-2)

A Game of Thrones 4-Book Bundle - George R. R. Martin

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

7:30 PM ET

LIGHTNING (25-12-4) at CANADIENS (26-11-2)

TV: SUN, RDS, SNE

Season series: Victor Hedman had a career-high four points and Steven Stamkos tied Martin St. Louis' franchise record of eight career hat tricks to lead the Tampa Bay Lightning to a 7-1 win against the Montreal Canadiens on Oct. 13. The game was the first between the teams since Montreal swept Tampa Bay in the Eastern Conference First Round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Canadiens and Lightning enter the game Tuesday at Bell Centre tied for the most points in the Eastern Conference (54); Montreal leads the Atlantic Division with two games in hand.

Lightning team scope: The Lightning had Monday off and will complete their four-game road trip Tuesday. The 25-14-12 record is tied for the best in Lightning history through 41 games, set last season. A 4-2 win Sunday against the Ottawa Senators was the Lightning's fifth in their past six games. Defenseman Radko Gudas will have arthroscopic knee surgery Tuesday, the Lightning announced Monday, and is out indefinitely. Gudas previously missed time with a lower-body injury and a stomach virus. Forward Tyler Johnson's 43 points lead the Lightning and his 36 even-strength points are tops in the NHL. Headman has scored in consecutive games after ending an 18-game goal drought Jan. 2 and has six points in his past four games.

Canadiens team scope: Montreal completed a 4-0-0 road trip Saturday with a 4-1 win against the Pittsburgh Penguins for its sixth consecutive victory and ninth in its past 10 (9-1-0). "We know it's a marathon … it's a challenge every game, that's our approach," coach Michel Therrien told the Montreal Gazette. "[Tuesday], for example, we play against a good hockey team. It's going to be a hell of a challenge." The Canadiens will be without forward Pierre-Alexandre Parenteau (upper body), injured Jan. 2 against the New Jersey Devils. Parenteau did not practice Monday and continues to be evaluated daily. Dale Weise skated in Parenteau's spot at right wing on the second line at practice with David Desharnais and Tomas Plekanec. Goalie Carey Price was named the NHL's Third Star for the week ending Jan. 4 after going 3-0-0 with a 1.33 goals-against average and .952 save percentage. Defenseman Bryan Allen was placed on waivers.

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Team Stats