The second round series between the Montreal Canadiens and the Tampa Bay Lightning shifts to Tampa Bay Wednesday night for Game 3. The puck drops at 7:00 and the match can be seen on CBC and TVA.

Match Up

Another Habs-Bolts game, another disappointing loss for the Canadiens, who have now dropped seven straight to the Lightning. The Canadiens did manage to score the first goal in Sunday’s game but a slew of penalties at the end of the first and then throughout the second period quickly shattered any chance the Habs may have had at winning Game 2.

What to Watch

Canadiens: Discipline will be the theme for the Habs in game three after they allowed four goals on eight Lightning power plays in their 6-2 loss on Sunday. Meanwhile, the Canadiens still only have one power play goal of their own through 26 power plays these playoffs.

Lightning: Steven Stamkos scored his first goal of these playoffs in Sunday’s 6-2 win, and added a pair of assists as well. Nikita Kucherov, Victor Hedman, Tyler Johnson, Alex Killorn and Valtteri Filppula each also had multi-point nights on the game.

What’s at Stake

The Canadiens aren’t in a do or die situation just yet, but Wednesday’s game promises to be their most important of the season so far. On the other hand, a win in Game 3 and the Habs can climb right back into this series with a chance to draw even the night after.

Who’s Out

After missing Game 2 with the flu, David Desharnais is expected to return to action Wednesday. Nathan Beaulieu (upper body) has been practicing with the team but is not ready to return to action yet.

Tampa’s Cedric Paquette missed much of Game 2 with an undisclosed injury but did participate in practice on Tuesday.

What Else

If the Habs are looking for some inspiration after dropping the first two games of this series at home, they need look no further back than the 2011 playoffs. The Canadiens jumped out to a 2-0 series lead against the favored Boston Bruins only to lose the next three games as well as a heartbreaking Game 7 loss in overtime.

While the series loss probably still stings the likes of Tomas Plekanec, PK Subban, David Desharnais, Lars Eller and Carey Price, they can at least draw inspiration from the knowledge that their challenge is not impossible. The Bruins, who were just a well placed shot away from elimination in the first round, went on to win the Stanley Cup that year.