from Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette,
“We’re due.”
That’s coach Michel Therrien’s optimistic view as the Canadiens look to snap a seven-game losing streak against the Tampa Bay Lightning when the teams meet in Game 3 of their best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinal series Wednesday night at Amalie Arena.
The Lightning swept the five-game, regular-season season series against the Canadiens and won the first two playoff games at the Bell Centre. That puts the Canadiens in a must-win situation Wednesday night, but the players appeared upbeat after a fast-paced but short workout Tuesday afternoon.
Therrien said the confident attitude was genuine and was based on the team’s play in the 2-1 double- overtime loss in Game 1 and a strong performance in the first period of Game 2.
“We’ve played well 5-on-5,” said Therrien, who gave his troops a lecture on the importance of staying disciplined after allowing four power-play goals in the 6-2 Game 2 loss. “The guys came in today and they were upbeat and they know where we have to be better. We have to make some adjustments on the special teams, but this group has been through some tough times through the course of the season and they react the right way all the time.”
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