Canadiens’ Martin St. Louis addresses penalty issues in Game 4 Lightning loss

The Montreal Canadiens took a 2-1 series lead into Game 4 against the Tampa Bay Lightning. A win on home ice would have given the Canadiens a major advantage heading into Game 5 back in Tampa. However, Martin St. Louis watched as his team let the game slip away, with many players watching it from the penalty box.

The Lightning were not proficient on the power play. They did score once, but they had seven power play chances in Game 4. Despite the lack of efficiency, the quantity of power plays gave the Lightning a huge advantage. Instead of chasing the game, they had the Canadiens on the back foot.

After the game. St. Louis spoke with the press. He pointed to his team’s lack of discipline as a reason they failed to win Game 4.

“We put ourselves in situations where there’s a chance the (referee) is going to call a penalty,” the Canadiens head coach said, via NHL.com. “That’s a veteran team, they’re very good at drawing penalties, they’ve got talented players. They’re a tough team and we knew it was going to be a tough series, and we’re right in it. We’re in a battle. There’s a fine line between winning and losing in these games, but we’re battling.”

As St. Louis points out, Montreal is still well within range of winning this series. Essentially, this is now a best-of-three affair with the teams tied 2-2. The Lightning have a leg up, though, as they will host Game 5 and, if necessary, Game 7.

The Canadiens and Lightning take to the ice at Benchmark International Arena for Game 5 on Wednesday night.