The moment the NHL playoff final series turned around

With captain Shea Webber in the penalty box and the Canadiens season on the line, the Habs penalty-killers stepped up to shut down the vaulted Lightning powerplay in overtime. Carey Price lead the way, and finally, we got a chance to see him play his best under pressure in this series.

It was a moment where most thought this was it—the moment the defending Stanley Cup champions close out the series and send the Habs scurrying home with their tails between their legs.

But no, it wasn’t that moment. Instead, it was the moment the series turned around. When the hockey gods (Montreal has many) interfered again on behalf of their benefactors. It was the moment Josh Anderson scored his second goal of the game on a great third effort to get a shot on goal.

After pushing the puck past the defender, Anderson raced down the left-wing and cut in on net. With one hand he passed the puck to the slot where Caufield waited. After Caufield’s backhand went wide, Anderson bounced off the end boards and dove toward the puck, snapping it past Vasilesky for the win.

This magical moment came less than a minute after the defending champions failed to close out the series. Because they failed, it was the moment this series turned toward the most storied fanchise in NHL history—The Montreal Canadiens.

#GoHabsGo