The Montreal Canadiens eliminated the Florida Panthers from playoff contention with a 6-1 win at Bell Centre on Tuesday night. Florida, who have lost five of their last six games, has surrendered 20 goals in their last three games.
The Panthers will miss the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the third straight year. The Cats have got to the postseason only twice since the 2000-01 season.
Montreal(41-28-8) waited until 6:02 into the first to take a 1-0 lead. Jeff Petry wrapped puck around the right corner from the right point. Andrew Shaw received it behind the Panthers net, centered it and Tomas Tatar blasted a one-time slap shot from the left circle past James Reimer.
The Canadiens opened it up to 2-0 with 7:21 remaining as Brett Kulak got his fifth goal of the year. Jesperi Kolkaniemi and Jordan Weal were credited with assists on the play.
The Habs expanded it to a three-goal margin 5:32 left in the first period. Tatar scored his second goal of the game on assists from Shea Weber and Brendan Gallagher. Reimer gave up three goals on eight shots and was replaced in goal by Sam Montembeault.
Florida(33-32-12) trailed by four goals at 2:52 of the second period. Artturi Lehkonen compiled a goal on a feed from Shaw. It became 5-0 for the Canadiens on a Phillip Danault tally with 7:20 to go in the frame.
In the third period, the Panthers finally broke the shutout when they were on the power play at the 1:35 mark. Frank Vatrano chalked up his 23rd goal of the season as he beat Carey Price. Denis Malgin and Vincent Trocheck were able to get assists on the Vatrano tally.
Montreal made it 6-1 with 8:12 remaining in the contest. Max Domi collected his 27th goal of the season on an unassisted play.
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