Odds are good he scores a big goal at some point over the next week, and that - fundamentally - will have meant more. If the Lightning win this game, or this series, or whatever, it won’t be because of what Killorn did. If you turn off a game with a couple bits like that in your memory bank, you’ve had a good day. It’s one of the best parts of watching these games - seeing something, and sensing that you’re going to see it again. We look for moments like that, don’t we? We’re conditioned to expect hockey players to act like hockey players, and pull off stuff that gets them into playoff-ending montages. “Not a lot of padding there,” as broadcasters are contractually obligated to say. Getting hit in the foot with a hockey puck hurts. Unreal sequence from Tampa’s Alex Killorn there with the Canadiens in the zone, he gave up his stick to someone who needed it more (Victor Hedman), then threw himself in front of a shot. » NHL power rankings: Tampa Bay, Montreal and the NHL Cinematic Universe (Dom Luszczyszyn and Sean Gentille)īeyond that, Rob Rossi and Sean Gentille will be here all game long, providing real-time analysis, jokes and opinions. » ‘Something big to belong to’: Canadiens fans from Nunavut to Sweden share stories of their connection to the team (Sean Fitz-Gerald) » Canadiens or Lightning? A Stanley Cup Final rooting guide for every other fan base (Sean McIndoe) Carey Price: Who is the best goalie in the world? (Joe Smith) » Stanley Cup Final picks, odds: Expert selections for Game 1 (The Athletic staff) ET, NBCSN/CBC), and so are we.īefore puck drop, here's some essential reading: The Tampa Bay Lightning and Montreal Canadiens are ready for Game 1 (8 p.m. It took a little longer and came a little later than usual, but the Stanley Cup Final is here.