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The Montreal Canadiens hope to turn last years playoff disaster into this years success. The Canadiens finished second in the Eastern Conference in the lockout-shortened 2012-13 campaign only to see their attack fizzle and their players take a pounding in a five-game setback to the Ottawa Senators. Their offence, if not so much their mettle, will be tested again when they face the tight-checking Lightning in a best-of-seven conference quarter-final starting tonight in Tampa. You can listen to the game live on TSN Radio or on TSN.ca/Montreal. Captain Brian Gionta feels the experience gained a year ago, along with a strong finish to the regular season, has the Canadiens in better shape going into the post-season. "Weve had a good last run coming in," said Gionta, whose club went 11-3-1 down the stretch. "And we have more guys with playoff experience now. "Last year we had a lot of guys who hadnt played in the playoffs. Hopefully with that experience theyll understand more what its about." What this series looks to be about is goaltending and patience. The Bolts won the season series between the teams 3-1, but three of the games ended 1-1 in regulation time and were decided either in overtime or a shootout. In the last meeting April 1 in Tampa, the Lightning won 3-1 with an empty-net goal by Alex Killorn. Special teams was the difference, with Tampa Bay going 2-for-9 with the man advantage while Montreal was 0-for-4. "I dont expect it to be much different," added Gionta. "Theyve got a great team that plays in-your-face and doesnt give you much time and space. Itll be a good series, for sure." A key will be goaltending, and whether Carey Price can carry the experience of leading Canada to gold at the Winter Olympics in February into the similarly pressure-packed NHL playoffs. The 26-year-old has a 9-17 career post-season record with a 2.90 goals-against average, but his game took a big step forward this season. "Its all about preparing for the (next) game, regardless of whats happened before, or whether youre playing good or bad," said Price. In Tampa, there were fears the season was ruined when six-foot-seven Ben Bishop went down with an arm injury on April 8, but six-foot-six Anders Lindback — who had struggled — went 3-0-0 with two shutouts in the final week of the regular season. Bishop has no NHL playoff experience and Lindback played only 13 minutes of one game for Nashville in 2011, so how either will react to the spotlight is a question mark. Tampa Bay also has Latvian Kristers Gudlevskis, who gave Price and Canada a scare in Sochi with 55 saves in a 2-1 defeat. Coach Jon Coopers Lightning managed a 101-point season despite massive setbacks, including the loss of superstar Steven Stamkos for 45 games with a broken leg and captain Martin St. Louis successful demand for a trade. The Bolts got the gritty Ryan Callahan from the Rangers in return for the last player left from Tampa Bays 2004 Stanley Cup team. That year marked the only previous playoff meeting between the teams, and Tampa Bay swept it 4-0. Last week, Ryan Malone was arrested for impaired driving and cocaine possession, although the veteran forward is no longer a key player. The Canadiens were boosted by some sharp deadline dealing by general manager Marc Bergevin, who picked up veteran defence help in Mike Weaver, a useful checker in Dale Weise and a first-line scorer in Thomas Vanek. Vanek had six goals and nine assists in 17 games after the trade and his play with David Desharais and Max Pacioretty gave Montreal one of its most dangerous first-line units in years. Now the Austrian right-winger will be looked upon to be an offensive leader in the playoffs. "They got me here for the stretch run to help them out and hopefully to help evolve their game, which is a good challenge for myself," said Vanek. "Its a new season now. "One guy isnt going to make the difference, but whats good is I found chemistry on a good line. The three of us need to be good, but its depth that wins in the playoffs. A line can win a game or two, but not a Cup." The Canadiens hope Vaneks unit can help a power play that went 0-for-23 in the last eight games but taking some of the attention away from point men P.K. Subban and Andrei Markov. Tampa Bay had the 13th best power play at 18.5 per cent this season, but has been deadlier since Stamkos return. The Canadiens counter with the NHLs fourth-best penalty killing unit, led by heady two-way centre Tomas Plekanec. A wild card for Montreal is winger Daniel Briere, who was signed last summer mostly for his history of playoff magic. He has 109 points in 108 career post-season games. But mostly, it will be about discipline - both teams sticking to their system and minimizing mistakes because goals will likely be hard to get. "Were very comfortable playing in those types of situations," said Price. "Weve done well in those types of games all season. "Thats playoff hockey to a T. Every team plays solid defensively and that one goal can make a difference. Limiting scoring chances and scoring on your own chances is a key." The Canadiens will have Brandon Prust back for Game 1 after the rugged winger missed the end of the season with a suspected rib injury, but they will be missing young playmaker Alex Galchenyuk for the series with a knee injury. Canadiens projected lines for Game 1 Pacioretty - Desharnais - VanekBourque - Eller - GiontaPrust - Plekanec - GallagherBournival - Brière - Weise Markov - EmelinGorges - SubbanBouillon - Weaver Price - Budaj Air Max 1 Goedkoop . Hughes, 30, is a former Major Leaguer with the Baltimore Orioles, having played in 14 games with the Os in 2010. He played with Class AA Binghamton of the Eastern League in the New York Mets system last season. Nike Air Max 1 Dames Sale . Now Arizonas new manager is hoping Yasmany Tomas can have the same effect on the Diamondbacks. http://www.airmax1salenederland.com/ .com) - Chris Kreider tallied a goal and an assist as the New York Rangers capped a successful California road trip with a 3-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks on Saturday. Air Max 1 Sale Nederland .That means, of course, that John Wall beat the Spurs for the first time ever — within weeks of his first wins in head-to-head games against nemeses Chris Paul and Derrick Rose. Nike Air Max Goedkoop . Torres scored the first goal by an English team in the knockout phase of the Champions League this season when he met Cezar Azpilicuetas cutback in the ninth minute of their first leg match in the last 16. But Chelsea failed to make the most of its counterattacks and the Turkish champions equalized in the second half after gaining in confidence and cutting out their defensive mistakes.CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- D.J. Augustin says he has no hard feelings when it comes to the Charlotte Bobcats -- even though they let him walk in free agency after the 2012 season. "Just a business," Augustin said with a smile. He sure took care of business Saturday night. Augustin played like a man with something prove, breaking open a close game by scoring 15 of his 28 points in the fourth quarter to help the Chicago Bulls hold off the Charlotte Bobcats 89-87 and get back above .500. The Bulls (22-21) have won 10 of their last 13 games. Augustin hit 4 of 5 shots from the field in the fourth quarter, including three 3-pointers. It was the third time in the last four games Augustin has scored at least 27 points. Augustin was drafted by the Bobcats in 2008 and spent four seasons in Charlotte before the Bobcats decided to go with Kemba Walker as their starting point guard. "Its always fun playing against your old team," Augustin said. "Im with the Bulls now and that is all that matters." Augustin spent time with Indiana and Toronto last season before joining the Bulls this past off-season. Chicago coach Tom Thibodeau called the 6-foot Augustin a "huge pickup." "We had a need and he had a need as well," Thibodeau said. "It was good for him and its been great for us and hes played better and better. He was ready when this opportunity came around. Its not only his individual performance, but what hes doing for our team." Joakim Noah added 11 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists for the Bulls, who have won 10 of their last 11 against the Bobcats. Taj Gibson had 13 points and seven rebounds, while Mike Dunleavy had 12 points and eight rebounds. Al Jefferson continued his hot play for the Bobcats (19-27) with 32 points and 13 rebounds. It was his ninth straight 20-point game. "Nobody is playing better than Al over the last eight or nine games," Bobcats coach Steve Clifford said. Jefferson said the discomfort from the ankle he sprained in the preseason is starting to subside. "At the beginning of the season I wasnt healthy," Jeefferson said.dddddddddddd "My ankle is feeling really good and Im not surprised how Im playing. I know I can play at a very high level when Im 100 per cent." But the Bobcats arent getting much production from other positions with Walker still out with an ankle injury. The starting frontcourt of Ramon Sessions and Gerald Henderson was a combined 9 of 26 from the field. "They double-teamed me and did a good job of keeping the ball out of my hands. So tonight, Kemba would have been needed," Jefferson said. "But its an opportunity for some other guys to step up and make a name for themselves." Chicago came in having defeated the Bobcats by an average of 27.5 points in the last four meetings in Charlotte, but this one was close throughout the first three quarters with 14 lead changes and neither team leading by more than six points. The Bulls were up 55-54 going into the final period and quickly extended that lead to 11 sparked by eight quick points from Augustin and six from Tony Snell. The lead would get to 12 before a frantic Bobcats comeback in the final minute, with Jannero Pargo knocking down a 26-footer with 3.4 seconds left to cut the lead to three. But Augustin made two free throws to seal the win. Jefferson hit a one-handed heave from just beyond half court as time expired, although it wouldnt matter. Chicago surrendered 112 point to the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday night -- the second-most theyve allowed this season -- but the leagues second-best defence returned to form against the Bobcats. They held Charlotte to 42 per cent shooting after allowing the Clippers to beat them with 59.3 per cent shooting. "We get knocked down but we always get back up and keep fighting," Augustin said. "That is the motto of our team." NOTES: Walker missed his fourth straight game with an ankle injury. ... Carlos Boozer has scored in double digits in nine straight games for the Bulls. ... Sessions had 11 assists for the Bobcats. ... The Bobcats had been outrebounded by 22 in the first two meetings, but held a 45-41 edge on the boards this time. ' ' '