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2015 NHL Playoffs: 5 Keys to Victory for Montreal Canadiens vs. Tampa Bay Lightning

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Montreal Canadiens Tampa Bay Lightning

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Montreal Canadiens may have swept the Tampa Bay Lightning in last season’s playoffs, but that seems like a long time ago now. After losing all five games to the Bolts in the regular season, the Habs have their work cut out for them heading into this second-round tilt. Here are five things the Canadiens must do to beat the Lightning.

Ryan is an NHL writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @rtskilton.

5. Penalty Kill

5. Penalty Kill Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports
The penalty kill has been a strength for the Canadiens all year, but in the first round of the playoffs, the Habs weren't very good shorthanded, allowing the Sens to convert on 25 percent of their opportunities. The Tampa Bay Lightning have an array of offensive weapons, and when they get a chance to pounce on the power play, they often take advantage of it. Montreal must be better on the penalty kill or Carey Price will get lit up.

The penalty kill has been a strength for the Canadiens all year, but in the first round of the playoffs, the Habs weren't very good shorthanded, allowing the Sens to convert on 25 percent of their opportunities. The Tampa Bay Lightning have an array of offensive weapons, and when they get a chance to pounce on the power play, they often take advantage of it. Montreal must be better on the penalty kill or Carey Price will get lit up.

4. Net-Front Presence

4. Net-Front Presence Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
Craig Anderson was phenomenal against the Canadiens in the first round, but a lot of the saves he made were relatively easy. The Habs weren't effective at creating traffic and making Anderson's life difficult in front of the net. Like Anderson, Tampa Bay's Ben Bishop is also a big goaltender who takes up a lot of space. Montreal is going to need to do a better job screening Bishop or their scoring troubles will continue.

Craig Anderson was phenomenal against the Canadiens in the first round, but a lot of the saves he made were relatively easy. The Habs weren't effective at creating traffic and making Anderson's life difficult in front of the net. Like Anderson, Tampa Bay's Ben Bishop is also a big goaltender who takes up a lot of space. Montreal is going to need to do a better job screening Bishop or their scoring troubles will continue.

3. Scoring First

3. Scoring First Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
The Canadiens have struggled to score first all year long, and that trend continued in the first round against the Ottawa Senators, where they only managed to score the opening goal once in six games. Although the Habs have done a great job playing without the lead, it wouldn't be a bad idea to change that "strategy" and come out with a little more life in the first period.

The Canadiens have struggled to score first all year long, and that trend continued in the first round against the Ottawa Senators, where they only managed to score the opening goal once in six games. Although the Habs have done a great job playing without the lead, it wouldn't be a bad idea to change that "strategy" and come out with a little more life in the first period.

2. Power Play

2. Power Play Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
Simply put, Montreal's power play has been absolutely embarrassing all season long. The Canadiens' setup has become far too predictable, with most chances coming from the point. The man advantage really can't get any worse than it already is -- converted at an abysmal 5.5 percent rate against the Senators in the first round -- and needs to be shaken up. The Habs have a hard time scoring at even strength, so anything to get the goal count up would help.

Simply put, Montreal's power play has been absolutely embarrassing all season long. The Canadiens' setup has become far too predictable, with most chances coming from the point. The man advantage really can't get any worse than it already is -- converted at an abysmal 5.5 percent rate against the Senators in the first round -- and needs to be shaken up. The Habs have a hard time scoring at even strength, so anything to get the goal count up would help.

1. Carey Price

1. Carey Price Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
Regardless of how well the Habs play, Tampa Bay is still going to bring it, and there will undoubtedly be a lot of scoring chances in the Lightning's favour. Like he has been all year, Carey Price will need to be Montreal's best player if the Canadiens are to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. Price has carried the Habs on his back for many games this year, and he will likely have to steal a couple more this series.

Regardless of how well the Habs play, Tampa Bay is still going to bring it, and there will undoubtedly be a lot of scoring chances in the Lightning's favour. Like he has been all year, Carey Price will need to be Montreal's best player if the Canadiens are to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. Price has carried the Habs on his back for many games this year, and he will likely have to steal a couple more this series.

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