Canadiens 4, Lightning 3: Max Pacioretty scored the tiebreaking goal on the power play with 42.6 seconds to play as host Montreal completed a four-game sweep and became the first team to advance to the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Pacioretty tucked a deflected shot between the pads of Kristers Gudlevskis for his first goal of the series as the Canadiens withstood a two-goal comeback in the third period by Tampa Bay. Danny Briere, Lars Eller and Brendan Gallagher also scored and Carey Price made 20 saves for Montreal, which amassed 16 goals in the sweep after scoring only four times in four regular-season meetings against the Lightning.

Defenseman Victor Hedman and rookie Tyler Johnson scored third-period goals and rookie Ondrej Palat had a short-handed tally and an assist for Tampa Bay. Gudlevskis was sensational in relief of Anders Lindback (17 saves), stopping all 16 shots he faced until Pacioretty poked home a shot by Thomas Vanek that dribbled in softly on the backup netminder.

Gallagher answered a short-handed goal by Palat early in the second period by scoring 70 seconds later on a snap shot from the right circle to restore a two-goal edge and chase Lindback. The Lightning fought back in the third when Hedman banked a puck off Price from behind the net at 3:29 before Johnson tied it three minutes later, sliding a shot between the legs of Price from the slot.

The Canadiens struck early for the second straight game as Dale Weise raced to the left corner and sent a backhand feed to Briere, who was all alone in front and easily beat Lindback at 2:24. Captain Brian Gionta forced a turnover that helped Montreal double the lead 13 minutes later, with Eller breaking down left wing and ripping a slap shot past Lindback with 4:39 left in the first.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Briere notched his 51st goal and 111th point in 112 postseason contests. ... Palat, who led the Lightning in scoring this season, had goals in back-to-back contests after missing Game 2 with an upper-body injury. ... Gallagher's tally was his third of the series and his fifth in nine playoffs games. ... The Canadiens improved to 32-0 when holding a 3-0 series lead.