Evans' goal late in the third period completes Canadiens' rally past Lightning in 3-2 victory

Evans’ goal late in the third period completes Canadiens’ rally past Lightning in 3-2 victory

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Montreal Canadiens’ Jake Evans (71) celebrates with teammates Kirby Dach (77) and Patrik Laine (92) after scoring against the Tampa Bay Lightning during third period NHL hockey action in Montreal, Tuesday, January 21, 2025. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)

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Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy is scored on by Montreal Canadiens’ Jake Evans (71) as Canadiens’ Joel Armia celebrates the goal during third period NHL hockey action in Montreal, Tuesday, January 21, 2025. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)

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Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy is scored on by Montreal Canadiens’ Jake Evans during third period NHL hockey action in Montreal, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)

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Montreal Canadiens’ Kirby Dach takes a stick to the face from Tampa Bay Lightning’s Nick Perbix as he moves in on Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Montreal, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)

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Montreal Canadiens’ Kirby Dach (77) moves in on Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Montreal, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)

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Tampa Bay Lightning’s Brayden Point moves in on Montreal Canadiens goaltender Sam Montembeault during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Montreal, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)

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Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy stops Montreal Canadiens’ Brendan Gallagher during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Montreal, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)

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Tampa Bay Lightning’s Jake Guentzel (59) shoots wide of Montreal Canadiens goaltender Sam Montembeault as Canadiens’ Lane Hutson (48) defends during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Montreal, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)

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Montreal Canadiens’ Kirby Dach (77) reacts to a goal by teammate Alex Newhook, not pictured, against Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Montreal, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)

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Montreal Canadiens’ Alexandre Carrier and Tampa Bay Lightning’s Zemgus Girgensons battle for the puck along the boards during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Montreal, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)

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Tampa Bay Lightning’s Nikita Kucherov scores against Montreal Canadiens goaltender Sam Montembeault as Canadiens’ Kaiden Guhle (21) and Josh Anderson (17) defend during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Montreal, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)

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Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Jonas Johansson (31) defends the goal as Montreal Canadiens center Jake Evans (71) advances to score during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mary Holt)

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A Montreal Canadiens fan holds a sign that says “J’aime Montreal” during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mary Holt)

MONTREAL (AP) — Jake Evans scored the winning goal with 2:15 remaining to rally the Montreal Canadiens past the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-2 on Tuesday night.

Evans finished a feed from Joel Armia to break the tie with his 11th goal. Juraj Slafkovsky and Alex Newhook also scored, and Sam Montembeault stopped 33 shots to help Montreal win for the 13th time in 17 games.

Rookie defenseman Lane Hutson extended his points streak to nine games. Patrik Laine added two assists.

Nikita Kucherov and Jake Guentzel scored for Tampa Bay, which opened a four-game road trip with a 5-3 loss to Toronto on Monday. Kucherov pushed his points streak to 10 games. Andrei Vasilevskiy made 19 saves.

Kucherov slid the puck past Montembeault to open the scoring at 14:40 of the first period. Guentzel gave the Lightning a 2-0 lead 2:45 into the second.

But the Canadiens scored twice in under two minutes to get back in it. Slafkovsky beat Vasilevskiy from a sharp angle for a power-play goal at 5:32 before Laine set up Newhook for a one-timer in the slot at 7:21.

Takeaways

Canadiens: Comebacks are becoming a trend in Montreal’s hot stretch. The Canadiens trailed four times Sunday against the New York Rangers, but rallied each time and won 5-4 in overtime.

Lightning: Road woes continued for Tampa, which has lost seven of its last eight away from home.’

Key moment

Montembeault denied Michael Eyssimont twice on the doorstep to prevent Tampa from taking the lead with 3:43 left.

Key stat

Kucherov has points in 10 straight games for the 11th time in his career. The former Hart Trophy winner has five goals and 11 assists during his current streak.

Up next

Lightning: Continue a four-game road trip Friday in Chicago against the Blackhawks.

Canadiens: Visit the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday.

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AP NHL: https://www.apnews.com/hub/NHL