Series Scenarios

* Teams that hold 3-0 lead in a best-of-seven own an all-time series record of 195-4 (.980), including a 3-0 mark this postseason. Teams with a 3-0 lead in the Stanley Cup Final hold an all-time record of 26-1 (.963), with the 1942 Maple Leafs accounting for the only come-from-behind series victory.

* The Canadiens hold an all-time record of a 60-63 (.488) in Game 4 of best-of-seven series, including 1-2 (.333) this postseason and 17-10 (.630) in the Stanley Cup Final. When trailing 0-3 in a best-of-seven, they own an all-time series record of 0-11 (.000).

* The Lightning hold an all-time record of 19-12 (.613) in Game 4 of best-of-seven series, including 2-1 (.667) this postseason and 2-1 (.667) in the Stanley Cup Final. When leading 3-0 in a best-of-seven, they own an all-time series record of 3-0 (1.000).

Pre-game

* The Lightning have scored the opening goal in each game this round. Only five teams in the NHL’s expansion era (since 1967-68) have scored the first goal in Games 1-4 in the Stanley Cup Final: the 2016 Penguins (4 GP), 1998 Red Wings (4 GP), 1987 Oilers (6 GP), 1978 Bruins (4 GP) and 1975 Flyers (6 GP).

* With a victory in Game 4, Tampa Bay can become the sixth defending Stanley Cup champion in the last 40 years to repeat with a sweep in the second of back-to-back Cup championships. Detroit (1998 vs. WSH), Pittsburgh (1992 vs. CHI), Edmonton (1988 vs. BOS) and NY Islanders (1982 vs. VAN & 1983 vs. EDM) all achieved the feat.

* Only two players in the last 10 years have had three-plus points in a potential Cup-clinching game: Los Angeles’ Dustin Brown in 2012 (1-2—3 in Game 6) and Boston’s Brad Marchand in 2011 (2-1—3 in Game 7).

* The most points by any player in a Cup-clinching game was five, set by Canadiens forward Toe Blake (1-4—5) in Game 4 of the 1944 Final.

* Four players in the last 10 years have scored multiple goals in a potential Cup-clinching game: Los Angeles’ Jeff Carter and Trevor Lewis in 2012 (both w/ 2-0—2 in Game 6) as well as Boston’s Patrice Bergeron (2-0—2) and Brad Marchand (2-1—3) in 2011 (Game 7).

* The last player to score multiple goals to help his team stave off elimination and extend the Stanley Cup Final series was current Canadiens forward Corey Perry, who tallied twice – including the game-winning goal in double overtime – in Game 5 of the 2020 Final as the Stars forced a Game 6.

* Nikita Kucherov (8-24—32 in 21 GP) holds a nine-point lead atop the playoff scoring race after pacing all players with 7-27—34 during the 2020 postseason (25 GP). He can become the sixth different player in the NHL’s expansion era (since 1967-68) to lead the Stanley Cup Playoffs in points in consecutive years; only Wayne Gretzky (3x: 1983-85; 2x: 1987-88), Guy Lafleur (3x: 1977-79), Mario Lemieux (2x: 1991-92), Rick MacLeish (2x: 1974-75) and Phil Esposito (2x: 1969-70) have done so in that span.

* Brayden Point (14 G in 21 GP) has six more goals than the next closest players this postseason after pacing the 2020 playoffs with a franchise-record 14 goals. Point is on track to become the eighth different player in League history to lead the Stanley Cup Playoffs in goals in consecutive years (tied or outright); he would join Mike Bossy (3x: 1981-83), Jari Kurri (2x: 1984-85; 2x: 1987-88), Phil Esposito (2x: 1969-70), Bobby Hull (2x: 1962-63), Maurice Richard (2x: 1946-47), Gordie Drillon (2x: 1938-39) and Howie Morenz (2x: 1924-25).

* Brayden Point, who scored the Cup-clinching goal in Game 6 of the 2020 Stanley Cup Final, can become just the third player in NHL history to score the Stanley Cup-clinching goal in consecutive years. Mike Bossy (1982 & 1983 w/ NYI) and Jack Darragh (1920 & 1921 w/ SEN) are the only skaters to do so.

* In order to win the Stanley Cup, the Canadiens will have to string together four straight wins for the second time this postseason. Since 2015, only three clubs have posted multiple winning streaks of 4+ games in a single postseason: the Stars in 2020, Capitals in 2018 (3x) and Golden Knights in 2018.

* The last team to rally back from a 3-0 series deficit to win a series in the Stanley Cup Playoffs was the 2014 Kings in the First Round against the Sharks. Current Montreal forward Tyler Toffoli was a rookie with that Kings team and recorded five points in the series, including consecutive game winners in Games 4 and 5 to stave off elimination and a goal in Game 7 to help complete the comeback.

* Nick Suzuki has found the back of the net for Montreal in each of its last two games. He can become the first Canadiens player to score in three consecutive games in the Stanley Cup Final at age 21 or younger. The last Montreal skater, at any age, to score in three straight Final games was Yvan Cournoyer (Game 2-6 of 1973 SCF).