In a city like Montreal, where hockey holds a special place, Max Crozier was relatively unknown to many fans until a pivotal moment in Game 4. Making his first appearance in the playoffs, the defenseman delivered a powerful hit on Juraj Slafkovsky, igniting the Tampa Bay Lightning’s 3-2 comeback against the Montreal Canadiens.
Crozier, describing the play, mentioned how he easily lined up the hit as Slafkovsky skated through the middle with his head down. The impact of the hit was felt with just over two minutes left in the second period, as the Canadiens, leading 2-0, had their momentum disrupted.
The Lightning’s Jake Guentzel acknowledged the significance of the hit, mentioning how it fired up the team and potentially shifted the game’s dynamics. Shortly after the hit, Guentzel scored a crucial goal, narrowing the Canadiens’ lead before the period ended.
Brandon Hagel then seized the opportunity in the third period, scoring two goals to secure the lead for the Lightning. Key assists came from Nikita Kucherov and J.J. Moser, with Andrei Vasilevskiy making 16 saves to support the team’s victory in a penalty-laden game.
The impact of Crozier’s hit was evident as Lightning coach Jon Cooper credited it for setting the stage for Guentzel’s goal. Despite the physical intensity of the game, Slafkovsky returned to the ice later to the cheers of the crowd.
Although the Canadiens responded with goals from Cole Caufield and Zachary Bolduc, Tampa Bay’s resilience led them to victory. The closely contested series, tied at two games apiece, now heads back to Tampa Bay for Game 5, with both teams showcasing their strengths in pursuit of playoff success.
This matchup between the experienced Lightning, recent Stanley Cup champions, and the emerging Montreal team sets the stage for an exciting conclusion, with the series evolving into a best-of-three showdown to determine the advancing team.