Lightning vs. Canadiens: Live score, updates, highlights 2021 Stanley Cup Final Game 4

It’s Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final and in a few short hours, the NHL’s season could either be over or extended for at least another game. The Lightning enter the game winners of the first three contests and are looking to close things out and win the franchise’s second Stanley Cup in as many years (and third overall).

“I can’t sit here and say that my demeanor that you’re seeing right now is the same as my demeanor inside if I’m going to be realistic, but it does help that you’ve been here before,” said a seemingly relaxed Lightning coach Jon Cooper after Monday’s morning skate. “We’ve been in this situation, and you try and channel your energy in positive ways.”

Less than a year ago, Tampa Bay won the championship in six games over the Stars. Now they have a chance to close things out in Game 4 in Montreal.

“It’s a great opportunity for us to go out there and take it. But it’s going to be hard,” noted David Savard, who was not on last year’s team and was acquired at the trade deadline. “We know that team on the other side doesn’t want to go down without a fight. It’s going to be the hardest one to win. We’ve just got to focus on staying in the moment and getting ready for tonight’s game.”

Tampa Bay has pretty good odds in this one, considering goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy has shutout opponents in elimination games in every round leading up to Monday night (he also shut out the Stars last year in Game 6). With the possibility of things ending, Montreal bench boss Dominique Ducharme made some changes to the lineup, inserting Alex Romanov and Brett Kulak on defense and Jake Evans up front. Defensemen Jon Merrill and Erik Gustafsson are out, as is Jesperi Kotkaniemi.

He also put his lines in the blender and shifted guys around.

“Yes, there is a lot of energy,” said Paul Byron, in a translated interview. “Everyone on the team knows we can play better. It’s a big challenge for the team, but everyone has to play to their potential tonight. I like the energy, I like the atmosphere on the team. We’ll see tonight.”

Sporting News had all the action as the Lightning go for the sweep in the Stanley Cup Final (all times Eastern).

Canadiens vs. Lightning live score, highlights from Game 4 First period

8:56 p.m. — Period and penalty come to an end. Montreal leads 1-0.

8:55 p.m — With about 30 seconds left and on the power play, Point hits the post.

8:54 p.m. — Now a 5-on-4 for Tampa Bay.

8:53 p.m. — Edmundson called for slashing. Lightning will have a 4-on-3 for 34 seconds. 

8:51 p.m — Coincidental minors and it’ll be 4-on-4.

8:50 p.m. — Vasilevskiy plays the puck behind the net and it pops out awkwardly but he pokes the puck away.

8:47 p.m. — Scramble in front and Canadiens in the crease. Vasilevskiy takes umbrage to that and pops Corey Perry. 

8:45 p.m. — GOAL. With Cole Caufield occupying the defense, Nick Suzuki drops down with the puck and feeds Josh Anderson as he crashes the net. The new line clicks on the Canadiens’ second shot of the game and the team gets its first lead of the SCF. Montreal leads 1-0.

8:42 p.m. — Now eight minutes to go in the first period and the Canadiens are being outshot 11-1.

8:32 p.m. — First TV timeout with 12:16 left and the Canadiens do not have a shot on goal. Tampa Bay has eight.

8:24 p.m. — Canadiens look nervous. A bad giveaway by Caufield leads to some sustained pressure by Tampa Bay. Price comes up big. 

8:22 p.m. — Game on. Will we see the Stanley Cup tonight?

Pregame

8:21 p.m. — Yvan Cournoyer, Guy Lafleur and Patrick Roy in attendance at this one. The trio won 17 Cups with the Canadiens (19 overall).

8:15 p.m. — Moment of silence held for Blue Jacket goalie Matiss Kivlenieks who passed away on July 4.

8:07 p.m. — Killorn is not playing. Mathieu Joseph stays in the lineup. He was a scratch for Game 6 against the Stars last year.

8:04 p.m. — Super Bowl champion Dr. Laurent Duvernay-Tardif.

7:47 p.m. — Killorn is participating in warmups but it’s looking like he won’t play.

MORE: Alex Killorn injury update

7:40 p.m. — There is a watch party at Amalie Arena.

7:30 p.m. — The Habs new lines this morning.

Stanley Cup 2021: Latest news