Can Lightning Strike Back Against the Canadiens at Amalie Arena?

As the Tampa Bay Lightning gear up to face the Montreal Canadiens on New Year's Day, fans are eager to see if their team can rebound from recent setbacks. The last encounter with the New York Rangers on December 31st was a tough one for Tampa Bay, as they were outscored significantly, ending with a 5-1 loss. Despite firing off an impressive 35 shots, only one found its way past the Rangers' goaltender.

The Lightning's performance against the Florida Panthers on December 28th showed similar struggles. Although they managed to net two goals in that game, it wasn't enough to secure a win, falling short with a final score of 3-2 in favor of Florida. One key issue for TB has been their power play opportunities; despite having three chances in both games, they only capitalized once against the Panthers and not at all against the Rangers.

However, there is a silver lining when looking at Tampa Bay's recent away game against Washington Capitals on December 24th. The Lightning managed to bring home a win after an intense shootout that ended with a score of 2-1. This victory was largely due to their strong defensive play and goaltending which saw them save all but one of the Capitals' shots during regulation and overtime.

The upcoming match presents an opportunity for TB to leverage their strengths and address weaknesses seen in previous games. A focus on converting power play opportunities could be crucial given Montreal's potential vulnerabilities in this area.

Tampa Bay will need more than just solid defense if they want to start off the new year with a victory; offensive production must improve from key players who have been relatively quiet lately. Fans should expect adjustments from head coach Jon Cooper who is known for his ability to adapt strategies effectively between games.

Looking ahead at January 1st’s clash at Amalie Arena set for midnight (00:00 AM), supporters should anticipate an energized Lightning squad ready to make amends before their home crowd. With ESPN+ providing internet coverage nationally and BSSUN broadcasting locally on channel 653, fans won't miss any action as TB seeks redemption against MTL after recent stumbles – it’s time for them to prove that lightning can indeed strike back!