The Montreal Canadiens hope to turn last years playoff disaster into this years success. Avery Bradley Jersey . 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 Marcin Gortat Jersey . Even that couldnt slow them down against the New Orleans Hornets. Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook scored 31 points apiece and the Thunder overcame injuries to two key backups to beat New Orleans 101-93 Monday night for their 10th straight home win. DeAndre Jordan Jersey . His second visit, not so much. Roark (7-5) allowed four runs on 10 hits and one walk over six innings in a 7-2 setback in front of several friends and family members, as the Cubs snapped his personal streak of four consecutive victories on Friday. http://www.clippersnbateamshop.info/louis-williams-clippers-jersey/ . Anything less than gold for either nation is considered a disappointment. Yet for Switzerland, advancing to the semifinal might be a victory in itself.BALTIMORE -- Catcher Matt Wieters and the Baltimore Orioles avoided salary arbitration by agreeing to a $7.7 million, one-year contract, a raise of $2.2 million. Wieters had asked for $8.75 million and the Orioles had offered $6.5 million when the sides swapped proposed arbitration salaries last month. As part of Thursdays agreement, Wieters would earn a $200,000 bonus for winning a Gold Glove — he won in 2011 and 2012. A two-time All-Star, he would get $100,000 is hes electeed to start in the All-Star game and $75,000 if hes selected as a reserve. Montrezl Harrell Jersey. He also would earn $75,009 if he wins a Silver Slugger. The 27-year-old hit .235 with 22 homers and 79 RBIs in 148 games last year and has a .255 batting average with 87 homers and 328 RBIs over parts of five years in the major leagues. He can become a free agent after the 2015 season. 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