TAMPA, Florida: Hold the motivational ploys and all the statistics that support the Tampa Bay Lightning feeling good about its chances of closing out the Montreal Canadiens in the second round of the NHL playoffs.

The resilient Canadiens have won two straight to trim a 3-0 deficit to 3-2 in the best-of-7 series. And the suddenly reeling Lightning said it was time to match the opposition’s desperation and finish the job.

Game 6 is late on Tuesday at Amalie Arena, where Tampa Bay compiled the league’s best home record during the regular season. Game 7, if necessary, would be played in Montreal on Thursday.

“We just have to have the belief that if we play the way we know we can that we’re going to win,” Lightning captain Steven Stamkos said after practice on Monday.

“Just don’t play scared,” Stamkos added. “Don’t be afraid to lose.”

The Canadiens have won five of their past six games when facing elimination, and reject the notion that there’s more pressure on them to even the series than Tampa Bay to end it and avoid having to get back on a plane and play Game 7 on the road.

The Lightning will play without right wing Ryan Callahan, who underwent an emergency appendectomy late Monday. His return to the ice was undermined, the team said.

“For sure, they’ve got more pressure. We’ve been there,” Montreal coach Michel Therrien said, noting his team built a 3-0 lead over Ottawa in the first round, then dropped Games 4 and 5 before finishing off the Senators in six games.

“You get a three-game lead, and you’ve got pressure to close. The more it goes, the more they feel that pressure,” Therrien added. “The fourth one is the toughest one because you’re meeting a team that is really desperate.”

The Canadiens are trying to become the fifth team in NHL history to overcome a 3-0 deficit to win a postseason series.

“We feel good about playing these type of games,” Therrien said. “You look at our record the last two years when we’ve had our backs against the wall. It’s almost like it’s where we perform the best. (Tuesday) for us won’t be any different.”

The Lightning have shown an ability to overcome adversity, too. They trailed Detroit 3-2 in the opening round, won Game 6 on the road, and returned home to beat the Red Wings in Game 7.