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Video: Gionta wins it for Habs via OT penalty shot

Daniel Briere, Brian Gionta, Mike Weaver,

Montreal Canadiens’ Daniel Briere, center, is congratulated by teammates Brian Gionta, left, and Mike Weaver after scoring against the Buffalo Sabres during the third period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, March 25, 2014, in Montreal. The Canadiens won 2-0. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Graham Hughes)

AP

The Montreal Canadiens needed a win on Saturday to give themselves a chance for home-ice advantage in their upcoming first-round series against the Tampa Bay Lightning. They got that win thanks to a dramatic tally that demands a lengthy explanation: Brian Gionta’s shutout-spoiling, overtime game-winning penalty-shot goal:

With that, Montreal has a one-point standings lead over Tampa Bay. That makes the situation simple:


  • If the Lightning win against the Washington Capitals on Sunday, they get home-ice advantage (and the second spot in the Atlantic).
  • If Tampa Bay loses to the Caps, those designations go to Montreal.

To add a little context to home-ice advantage, consider a few factors:


  • Tampa Bay beat the Habs in Montreal (2-1 SO) on Nov. 12; lost to Montreal in Tampa Bay (2-1 SO) on Dec. 28; beat Habs at Montreal 2-1 in OT on Feb. 1; beat Montreal at home 3-1 on April 1. Long story short, the Lightning won the season series, but all but one of those games went beyond regulation and two went to shootouts.
  • As of this writing, Montreal is 23-13-5 at home and 23-15-3 on the road.
  • Meanwhile, the Lightning are 25-10-6 at home and 20-17-3 away.

Everything about these numbers screams “impending close series” but that remains to be seen. We also get a little drama on the last day of the season (Sunday), which is nice since all three of the East’s other series are determined (including seeding).

Follow James O’Brien @cyclelikesedins