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Tyler Johnson's Game 3 buzzer beater puts Canadiens on the brink

Tyler Johnson's Game 3 buzzer beater puts Canadiens on the brink

There are few types of losses that are more back breaking and soul crushing than a last second defeat in the playoffs. Especially for the Montreal Canadiens, who seemed ready to go to overtime in Game 3, and now face an 0-3 deficit thanks to Tampa forward Tyler Johnson.

Look at Johnson’s goal, which just barely beat the buzzer with 1.1 seconds left and put the game at 2-1.

That. Is. Something.

“I didn’t even know it was that close to the buzzer,’’ Johnson said via the Tampa Tribune. “I was a little upset when they were reviewing the goal because I didn’t know it was that close, I didn’t know they had to do that. But it was a giant weight off the shoulders. It’s a fun time to go to overtime, but no one really wants to do it.’’

The Canadiens were down 1-0 until midway through the third period when Brendan Gallagher evened the score.

Through nine games this playoff, Tampa captain Steven Stamkos has scored just one goal. Johnson has eight, which has softened the blow of Stamkos’ lack of production. As for Montreal’s all-world goaltender Carey Price in this series? He has allowed 10 goals in three games and has an .853 save percentage.

“Since I’ve been a Montreal Canadien, one thing we’ve always done is find ways to win games,” Gallagher said via the Montreal Gazette. “Just seems like right now we’re finding ways to lose games. We’re playing good hockey, we’re just coming on the wrong side of things.”

So much for that whole ‘goaltender stealing a series’ thing.

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Josh Cooper is an editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!

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