The Montreal Canadiens are on the verge of advancing to the next round of the playoffs, leading the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-2 in their first-round series after a 3-2 road victory in Game 5.

Canadiens Poised for Historic Run

With a chance to close out the series at home, the Canadiens are emphasizing the importance of staying composed and utilizing the energy of their home crowd. This potential advancement marks a significant step in their rebuild, which began after their loss in the 2021 Stanley Cup final.

Guhle on Team Readiness

Defenceman David Guhle expressed confidence in the team’s ability to handle the pressure. “We’ve already learned so much throughout this run and this series, I think it’s a challenge that our group doesn’t shy away from,” Guhle said during a video conference.

Electric Atmosphere at Bell Centre

The Bell Centre has already reached incredibly high noise levels, peaking at 113 decibels – comparable to a rock concert or a plane taking off. The atmosphere is expected to be even more intense as Montreal aims to secure the series win.

Staying Focused Amidst the Noise

Guhle emphasized the need to remain level-headed despite the enthusiastic support. “It’s going to be loud and it’s going to be fun, and we have to use the crowd’s energy to our advantage,” he said. “But we just have to stay even-keeled through all of it. Not get nervous, not do too much or try to do too little. Just keep playing our game.”

Lightning Fight to Avoid Elimination

The Tampa Bay Lightning are determined to avoid a fourth consecutive first-round exit and will attempt to force a Game 7. Each game in the series has been decided by a single goal, highlighting the competitive nature of the matchup.

Cooper Addresses Team Performance

Lightning coach Jon Cooper acknowledged the team’s shortcomings after Wednesday’s loss. “Did I think we had our best game? We clearly did not,” Cooper said. “Is it really disappointing to come home and lose? It is. This is something we should take a ton of pride in and dig our heels in and not accept.”

Key Contributors for Canadiens

The Canadiens’ depth scoring has been a crucial factor, with players like Alex Newhook making a significant impact. Pierre-Luc Dubois and Bo Horvat have also stepped up offensively, contributing key goals.

Montembeault's Strong Play

Rookie goaltender Samuel Montembeault has been a standout performer, providing consistent play throughout the playoffs. Sean Monahan’s faceoff success, winning 66.1 percent of his draws in the series, has also been a key asset for Montreal.