Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
Thursday night’s game between the Montreal Canadiens and the Tampa Bay Lightning had a clear playoff feel.
And if there’s one Canadiens player who made sure to set the tone for a potential first-round matchup, it was without question Josh Anderson.
The imposing forward decided to take matters into his own hands physically—and he didn’t go after just anyone.
Anderson delivered a crushing hit on Tampa Bay star Nikita Kucherov, knocking him solidly to the ice.
He effectively took him out of the game, as Kucherov was very quiet afterward.
Of course, targeting the opposing team’s best player comes with consequences.
Lightning defenseman Declan Carlile stepped in to defend his teammate by dropping the gloves with Canadiens number 17.
He quickly regretted it, as he was soundly beaten by the big Montreal winger.
Josh Anderson sends a clear playoff warning to Lightning after Kucherov hit and Carlile fight
As Anthony Marcotte perfectly summed up on X: “Josh Anderson levels Kucherov and delivers a decisive beating to Carlile.
The horse is in playoff mode.”
This sequence is far from insignificant.
Given the current Atlantic Division standings, the Canadiens and Lightning could very well meet in the first round of the playoffs in just a few weeks.
By physically targeting Tampa Bay’s offensive leader and decisively winning his fight, Anderson sent a very clear message inside the opposing locker room.
Kucherov has to be hoping he doesn’t face the Canadiens in a few weeks.
If the two teams do meet to open the playoffs, Jon Cooper’s players know full well that Josh Anderson won’t be giving anything away on the ice.
This is exactly the kind of physical play Martin St-Louis’ group will need to withstand the intensity of the NHL playoffs.
Previously on Montreal Hockey Fanatics
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Josh Anderson sends the Lightning a playoff message after crushing Nikita Kucherov
Are you reassured to see Josh Anderson elevating his physical play as the playoffs approach?