Saturday, Nov. 07, 2009

Recap: Montreal vs. Tampa Bay

Ryan Malone and Alex Tanguay picked up a goal and an assist each, as Tampa Bay posted a 3-1 victory over Montreal at Bell Centre.

Antero Niittymaki was solid with 36 saves for the Lightning, who concluded a stretch of four straight road tilts at 2-1-1 coming off an overtime loss to Ottawa on Thursday. Rookie centerman James Wright scored his second career goal.

Brian Gionta scored a power-play goal for the Canadiens, who returned home after beating division-rival Boston in a shootout on Thursday.

Carey Price was tested with 21 shots and gave up each of the Bolts' three goals, as the Habs lost for the fourth time in the last six games.

Malone poked in a loose puck for a power-play marker midway through the first, following up a Martin St. Louis blast that caromed back off the boards and out in front.

Then, with 47 seconds to go in the period, Tanguay charged the net and chipped in a rebound off a long shot by Malone that Price couldn't handle cleanly.

The Canadiens picked up a power-play goal approaching the midway point of the second to halve the deficit. Scott Gomez fed Jaroslav Spacek across the high slot for a one-timer that popped off Niittymaki's shoulder and landed in the crease, where Gionta batted it in.

"It was an inconsistent effort by us for half the game. The second period was good, but we're giving up goals late in the periods," Gionta said. "That hurts you. That hurts the momentum. We have to figure out a way to play a better 60 (minutes)."

Tampa Bay regained its two-goal advantage just past the two-minute mark of the stanza. A Tanguay shot rang off the post and Wright rushed the net to clean up the loose puck sitting just behind Price along the goal line.

"We're glad to get those two points. We're pretty proud of our effort," Tanguay said.

Niittymaki stood tall in turning aside each of the 15 shots he faced in the third period.

Game Notes