Suzuki’s shootout goal powers Canadiens over mighty Lightning

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TAMPA — Nick Suzuki scored the only goal in a shootout to give the Canadiens 5-4 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday at Amalie Arena.

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The loss brought the Lightning’s win streak to an end at four games and the Canadiens finished their four-game road trip with a 1-2-1 record.

Montreal’s fourth line brought the Canadiens even for the second time in the game when Jesse Ylonen scored early in the third period to deadlock the score at 4-4.

Brayden Point scored a power-play goal with 15.6 seconds remaining in the second period to put the Lightning ahead after the Canadiens twice battled back from a two-goal deficit to tie the game at 3-3.

Brian Elliott was at the top of his game before Cole Caufield ignited a Montreal comeback when he scored at 8:53 of the second period. Caufield’s 15th of the season, which came on a 2-on-0 break with Rem Pitlick, was a goal-scorer’s goal as he shot off the crossbar and in.

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Nikita Kucherov got that one back on a power play, but Corey Schueneman scored from the blue line after Suzuki won a faceoff in the offensive zone and Josh Anderson beat Elliott through the five-hole on a breakaway for his 17th goal, which gave Montreal three goals on four shots.

Pitlick joined Suzuki and Caufield on the No. 1 line and they provided the bulk of the Montreal offense. They combined for 10 shots on goal and they had a hand in the Canadiens’ first two goals.

Montreal outshot the Lightning 15-10 in the first period, but trailed 2-0 at the intermission.

Tampa Bay opened the scoring when Steven Stamkos picked up his 32nd goal of the season. Stamkos created some space in front of the net when he absorbed a bump from rookie defenseman Justin Barron and he had a tap-in when Kucherov threaded a pass from the far boards.

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The Canadiens had two power plays in the first period, but managed only one shot on goal and gave up a shorthanded goal to Anthony Cirelli. Josh Anderson had trouble handling a pass in the offensive zone and that led to a break for Nick Paul. He found Cirelli going to the net and the puck appeared to go in off Cirelli’s skate,

Cirelli’s momentum carried him into the net and Canadians coach Martin St. Louis challenged the goal for goaltender interference. The video review determined there was no interference with Jake Allen before the puck entered the net.

Jordan Harris made his NHL debut and didn’t look out of place playing alongside veteran David Savard. Harris, who signed a two-year entry-level deal after wrapping up a four-year college career at Northeastern, was on the ice for 15 minutes. He had one shot on goal, one hit and three blocked shots.

The Canadiens are back at the Bell Center on Tuesday to play the Buffalo Sabers and then go back on the road for games Thursday in New Jersey and Saturday in Toronto.

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