Lightning keep pressure on Maple Leafs with win in Montreal

Andrei Vasilevskiy of the Tampa Bay Lightning. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

The Tampa Bay Lightning are on a mission to keep their playoff hopes alive, but the Toronto Maple Leafs can end it with a win Saturday night in Pittsburgh. 

Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy made several big-time saves throughout the game Friday including an absolute beauty on Alexander Radulov who thought he had a power play goal in the third period. Vasilevskiy somehow got a glove on it. 

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The Lightning goalie's determination was matched by his teammates as they cruised to a 4-2 win over the Canadiens. There's no doubt they will be watching Saturday night as the Leafs try to secure their playoff spot while simultaneously knocking out the Lightning and Islanders. 

READ: Islanders need to keep up win streak if they want shot at playoffs

Tampa's win Thursday night in Toronto could haunt the Leafs in the worst way. Mike Babcock's young squad will have to dig real deep Saturday to pull off the win against Sidney Crosby and his Stanley Cup defenders.

Tampa plays the Buffalo Sabres on Sunday, and they can only hope it will matter. 

Meanwhile, the Leafs and Penguins will drop the puck while the Islanders and New Jersey Devils already are underway. You may want to have two screens available. 

Read more: Here are the must-watch NHL games this weekend

Here's the Eastern Conference playoff picture as of Saturday morning: 

 

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