Lightning vs. Canadiens: 3 things you need to know

EAST
BOS vs. DET | TBL vs. MTL
PIT vs. CBJ | NYR vs. PHI
WEST
ANA vs. DAL | SJS vs. LAK
COL vs. MIN | STL vs. CHI

The Montreal Canadiens and Tampa Bay Lightning were the last playoff matchup to decide home ice advantage. Taking their pairing down to the wire on Sunday night, the Lightning clinched the advantage with a win over the Washington Capitals.

The Canadiens have appeared in the playoffs seven times in the last 10 seasons while the Lightning will return to the playoffs after a two-year absence.

The Lightning host the Canadiens on Wednesday, here are the three things you need to know:

Evenly matched 

Through all four games played this season, one went to overtime and two to the shootout. The Lightning took three-of-four, while the Canadiens managed points in two of the four.

The Lightning may have talented forward Steven Stamkos on their side, but they lost veteran goal-scorer Martin St. Louis at the trade deadline. Ondrej Palat has been a welcome surprise scoring 16 points in his last 15 games tallying 59 points in 81 games. 

Max Pacioretty set a career-high in goals scored with 39, just five points back of matching his career-high point total set in 2011-12.

Their team records are also close to identical as the Canadiens finished 46-28-8, and the Lightning finished 46-27-9.

Price could meet Olympic arch nemesis

Carey Price may be in for a surprise when he stands between the pipes and looks down the ice at goaltender Kristers Gudlevskis. 

The two goaltenders faced off in Sochi at the Olympics Games as Price battled for Canada and Gudlevskis battled dehydration making 55 saves for Latvia in the loss.

With an upper-body injury to Lightning starter Ben Bishop, Gudlevskis was recalled and made his NHL debut against the Columbus Blue Jackets and got the win making 36 saves. Depending on Bishops availability, Gudlevskis may be sent back to the AHL if and when Bishop is ready to go for the playoffs.

Price holds a .927 save percentage and a record of 34-20-5 through 59 games played.

Canadiens flying solo

The Montreal Canadiens are the only Canadian team to reach the playoffs this season as the Toronto Maple Leafs could not grab a spot coming down the stretch.

The Canadiens won seven of their last ten games, while the Lightning finished their season with the same record. Continuing the theme of match records, both teams have eight players who finished the season with more than 30 points.

Losing in the Conference quarter-finals last year to the Ottawa Senators in five games, they have put themselves in a good position to move past the Lightning with steady performances from Price.

As the only team out of Canada left to bring the Cup over the border in 21 years, they also remain the last Canadian team to win the Stanley Cup.

Schedule