Canadiens keep believing, begin unlikely comeback with convincing Game 4 victory over Lightning

TAMPA — Well, if P.K. Subban is going down, he’s going down swinging.

The Montreal defenseman stood at his stall after a 6-2 Game 4 romp here with his arms folded, his red Habs ski hat on, and his skates planted under his sturdy frame. He looked and spoke like someone who is on the brink of the conference final, not the brink of elimination.

“I don’t listen to the media a lot,” he said. “But I don’t like being called out for how I play in the playoffs. Personally … I take it personally. I don’t want to hear that. I think it’s [expletive].”

He went on, saying “a lot of us are sick and tired” of being called out and criticized. Yes, it’s the old chip-on-the-shoulder, us-against-the-world grist that every athlete in the world uses. And yes, the Canadiens probably deserve some skepticism after going down 3-0 to a Lightning team they swept last year. But the energy among the Habs is real, and palpable, and this group wants to be the first in the franchise’s long, storied history to win a series after going down by three games.

“We owe it to our fans, to ourselves, to go back to Montreal,” Subban said. “It’s gonna be a tough game for them to win, that’s for sure.”

Across the dressing room, winger Brendan Gallagher smiled throughout his entire media session, speaking of “enjoying the opportunity” more than once. He said there was verve in the room before the game and it spilled over to a two-goal first-period lead that all but ended what could have been a clincher for the Lightning. Montreal went on to make it 3-0, causing Ben Bishop’s ouster from the Bolts’ net, and that boosted the Canadiens’ confidence even more.

“Bishop was sitting on a horseshoe there for a bit,” Subban said, before politely adding that the Lightning goalie has been playing well.

That kind of comment will surely get back to the Bolts and Bishop, but at this point, who cares? Montreal needs to win three straight against a team that had beaten them eight straight times this season before Game 4. It’s time to fire some psychological salvos, along with some rubber ones. Asked if he thought the Canadiens were the better team, Subban said, “I think so.”

There is reason to think that. Two of the three Habs losses were in the last two seconds – double overtime in Game 1 and that buzzer-beater by Tyler Johnson in Game 3. Tampa Bay clocked the Canadiens 6-2 in the second game, but that’s been offset the Habs’ response in Game 4. Montreal gets two of a possible three at home now, and the Lightning have been curiously inert on home ice throughout the playoffs. They are .500 in the postseason, despite being outstanding at Amalie Arena during the regular season, so the Habs shouldn’t see a potential Game 6 as a threat to their temerity.

And, lest we forget, the Canadiens have the best goaltender in the sport in Carey Price. The feeling is that the remaining games will be close, and Price is unlikely to give up six again, and perhaps the good fortune will swing the other way.

“Listen,” Subban said, “we’re not ready to golf yet.”

So it’s a little bit of motivation and a little bit of mirth for Montreal. Both emotions came through during the game and afterward on Thursday. The Canadiens played like they were happy to be here, but they also played with some spite. Over in the other dressing room, there will be a coming together of sorts, a resolve to push back.

But it’s clear Subban and the Habs believe they are sitting on a horseshoe of their own.

MORE NHL COVERAGE ON YAHOO SPORTS: