The One Where the Lightning’s Offense Returns: Lightning Canadiens Recap

It was only a matter of time until the Tampa Bay Lightning found their scoring touch. After two consecutive shutouts, the moment came early as Brayden Point beat Jakob Dobes on a breakaway just 2:27 into their game against the Montreal Canadiens. The Lightning would add two more goals in the period, and three more the rest of the way to pick up the 6-1 victory, snapping their four-game losing streak.

Joining Point in the scoring column was Pontus Holmberg, Nikita Kucherov, Charle-Edouard D’Astous, and Darren Raddysh (x2). Jonas Johansson started for the second straight night and stopped 26-of-27 shots. It’s his third straight game of allowing just one goal, but he finally picked up some goal support.

Dobes stopped 11-of-14 first period shots and was replaced by Sam Montembeault to start the second. While he didn’t face as much pressure as his teammate, Montembeault struggled as he allowed 3 goals on 12 assists.

The Bolts went 1-for-3 on the power play and killed off 3-of-4 short-handed opportunities against one of the league’s best power play units.

Their road trip rolls on to New Jersey on Thursday.

Random thoughts about the game:

No fights until the last 4:44 of the game when Scott Sabourin took on Josh Anderson. With the way Curtis Douglas has been earning his stripes early in games, to not see him take on Arber Xhekaj early on was kind of surprising.

Another quiet two-point night for Nikita Kucherov. After a slow start (by his standards) he’s creeping up the scoring leaderboard.

Victor Hedman only played 6:13. Having just come back from a stint on Injured Reserve, there is the unfortunate likelihood that he aggravated whatever was ailing him.

Johansson held the fort early as Montreal came out with a big push prior to Point’s goal. He was also solid on Montreal’s first power play. If he allows a goal on either occasion, chances are the outcome is completely different.

Whether it was the score, or the big lead, adjusting to not having Hedman in the line-up, the Lightning struggled a bit in the second period. Montreal dominated the chances (20-5) and shots (15-4). Taking two penalties didn’t help. The good sign was that they came out and won the third period. They didn’t let up the pressure and added to their lead.

Darren Raddysh – what a game. He led all Lightning skaters with 23:07 of ice time, scored twice, had 8 shot attempts, and made a really nice diving play to deny a Montreal chance at an empty net with Johansson down-and-out.

Charle-Edouard D’Astous with a goal in his native Quebec. He made a really good read to stay down low and get into position for a pass from Kucherov. A couple of penalties were the only blemish on his night.

With an assist tonight, Jake Guentzel hit the 600 point mark in his career. It’s still early, but he is moving up the ranks as one of the best free-agent signings in Lightning history (yes, we know they technically traded for him).

Details

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— HockeyStatCards (@hockeystatcards.com) December 9, 2025 at 9:44 PM

The Goals

Brayden Point [4] (Jake Guentzel, Oliver Bjorkstrand) 1-0 Lightning

“HUGE GOAL FOR BRAYDEN POINT!!!!!”

Brayden Point is back on the scoresheet and silences the crowd in Montreal!
#TBLvsMTL

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