First period
They wanted to have towels for the fans to make Benchmark International Arena like the Bell Centre. You can hear a pin drop moments after the opening puck drop.
Well, that’s exactly what Martin St-Louis was hoping for when he inserted Brendan Gallagher into the lineup: charge at the net and clean up a rebound. It’s Newhook’s rebound after he got onto his own wide shot, leaving an empty cage for the veteran to hit.
Montreal had as many high-danger chan...
about 3 hours ago
· 1 reads
2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs – Eastern Conference QFs
Game 5: Montreal Canadiens (A3) @ Tampa Bay Lightning (A2)
Series tied 2-2
Start time: 7:00 PM EDT / 4:00 PM PDT In Canada: CBC, Sportsnet (English), TVA Sports (French) In the United States: ESPN2 In the Lightning region: The Spot Streaming: Sportsnet+
The first personnel change has been made by Martin St-Louis in the series. The move is to give Brendan Gallagher his first playoff game of the season at the expense of Oliv...
about 7 hours ago
· 1 reads
2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs – Eastern Conference QFs
Game 5: Montreal Canadiens (A3) @ Tampa Bay Lightning (A2)
Series tied 2-2
Start time: 7:00 PM EDT / 4:00 PM PDT In Canada: CBC, Sportsnet (English), TVA Sports (French) In the United States: ESPN2 In the Lightning region: The Spot Streaming: ESPN+, Sportsnet+
Through the first three games of the series between the Montreal Canadiens and Tampa Bay Lightning, the Habs had held their opponent to eight high-danger chances at ...
about 15 hours ago
· 0 reads
With the Montreal Canadiens and Tampa Bay Lightning deadlocked at two wins apiece after four games, the series has become the talk of NHL circles as not just the most entertaining and fiery series of the first round, but possibly the most even series in recent memory.
The teams boasted 106 points each in the regular season, though if you looked under the hood you would see a sizable gap in the ability to consistently control play, favouring Tampa Bay. Yet the series has reflected much clo...
about 19 hours ago
· 1 reads
Montreal Canadiens news and notes
Martin St-Louis must contemplate changes to spark the top six. [ Sportsnet ]
The Habs focus on flipping the script for Game 5 against the Tampa Bay Lightning. [ Montreal Gazette ]
Can the Canadiens’ youthful skill overcome the Lightning’s experience in a best-of-three? [ Montreal Gazette ]
Montreal must control their emotions, even in the face of a storm. [ RDS ]
Jakub Dobeš maximizes his strengths through fearless aggression. [ The ...
about 21 hours ago
· 1 reads
Nothing about this series between the Montreal Canadiens and Tampa Bay Lightning has been easy on anyone involved. The intensity has made it an absolute grind for the players, and I think I can speak on behalf of most fans when I say that these games have had me chewing my nails down to the quick. It just might be the best first-round series in the league, and it shouldn’t come as much surprise that it has turned into a best-of-three, with both teams now having taken a game in the other’s barn...
The Montreal Canadiens have never been accused of being a boring franchise. This series is a look back at the moments that made you throw your hands up, lose your mind, ugly cry, hold your breath, scratch your head, and cheer so loudly you scared the dog … sometimes all at once. If you were there the first time around, you know. If you weren’t, hop in the DeLorean cause we’re going back in time.
The 2021 Playoff Run That Was
Every spring, some guy with a podcast and a grudge rolls ou...
Montreal Canadiens News and Notes
Martin St-Louis’ value as a coach, and the Habs’ steps forward from last year. [ Montreal Gazette | The Athletic ]
Montreal is keeping up with the Lightning, even without 5-on-5 contributions from the top line. [ TSN ]
Montreal needs to respond better to frustrations with reffing. [ Montreal Gazette ]
Thoughts on the Habs’ struggles. [ La Presse | Radio-Canada ]
Juraj Slafkovsky hasn’t been quite the same since his fight with Brandon...
Montreal Canadiens news and notes
How did Zachary Bolduc improve to his current level as one of the Canadiens best post-season performers? “More anticipation and fewer moments of hesitation,” Martin St-Louis believes. [ TVA Sports ]
“We’ll have to learn from this,” Bolduc said after discipline issues once again hurt the team. [ La Presse ]
Noah Dobson will be re-evaluated ahead of Game 5. [ TVA Sports ]
The Toronto Marlies beat the Rochester Americans in the AHL playoffs,...
First period
A bruising shift from Phillip Danault’s line starts things off.
The Lightning almost get handed the first goal when Mike Matheson is stripped of the puck as he tries to cut through the front of his own net. Jakub Dobeš has to make a toe save on a point-blank chance.
The Habs are having trouble staying out of their own way in the series, just taking a too many men penalty to give the Lightning a power play.
The penalty is killed, and the crowd is loud once aga...
After winning their second straight second regular season title, the Montreal Victoire have chosen to play the Minnesota Frost in their first round series.
The series will start on Saturday, May 2 at Place Bell. Game 2 will be on May 5.
For the first time, Montreal will face off against the Frost as they have selected to face the two-time defending Walter Cup champions in Round 1.
Minnesota finished third in the PWHL standings with a record of 13-3-5-9.
Montreal swept the s...
2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs – Eastern Conference QFs
Game 4: Montreal Canadiens (A3) vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (A2)
MTL leads 2-1
Start time: 7:00 PM EDT / 4:00 PM PDT In Canada: CBC, Sportsnet (English), TVA Sports (French) In the United States: ESPN In the Lightning region: The Spot Streaming: ESPN+, Sportsnet+
For a few minutes in the second period of Game 3, it looked like the Tampa Bay Lightning had come up with an answer to the Canadiens’ solid play when teams are d...
Lina Ljungblom scored in the sixth round of the shootout as the Montreal Victoire defeated the Seattle Torrent 2-1 to finish atop the PWHL standings and clinch the top seed on Saturday night.
Ann-Renée Desbiens made five saves on six shots in the shootout, and 23 saves during play to secure the win.
That means Montreal will select their first round opponent on Sunday between the third-seed Minnesota Frost and fourth-seed Ottawa Charge. Those are the same two teams they could have cho...
2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs – Eastern Conference QFs
Game 4: Montreal Canadiens (A3) vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (A2)
MTL leads 2-1
Start time: 7:00 PM EDT / 4:00 PM PDT In Canada: CBC, Sportsnet (English), TVA Sports (French) In the United States: ESPN In the Lightning region: The Spot Streaming: ESPN+, Sportsnet+
The Bell Centre was as loud as expected for Game 3. Unlike last year when the Montreal Canadiens returned to play their first game down 2-0 to the Washington Capitals...
Montreal Canadiens news and notes
Mike Matheson says the Canadiens are focused on keeping the Tampa Bay Lightning on the perimeter. [ La Presse ]
“Nothing is decided yet. The line is thin,” Martin St-Louis cautions with the Canadiens up 2-1. [ TVA Sports ]
Working with Adam Nicholas helped turned Lane Hutson’s shot into the force it’s been in the playoffs. [ Journal de Montreal ]
Arber Xhekaj has learned how to stay engaged despite limited playing time to make sure he’s e...
After a hard-earned split of the two games in Florida, the Montreal Canadiens made their highly-anticipated Bell Centre debut on Friday night to continue their series with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Just like the previous two games, it was an extremely close battle where neither team could open up more than a one-goal lead at any point. And again, just like the previous two games, they needed overtime to decide who would take it.
And then it happened. A Lane Hutson bomb from the point sent ...
With the Montreal Canadiens taking a 2-1 series lead over the Tampa Bay Lightning on the back of some incredible work by Lane Hutson, the plaudits are fairly directed at the Habs’ top defensive star. However, through three games it’s a surprising name who continues to tilt the ice in a big way, even in limited minutes.
Arber Xhekaj entered this series as a third-pairing defenceman, a role he’s mostly occupied this season, with its fair share of turbulent times that saw him out of the line...
Montreal Canadiens news and notes
“You know, I think I’m going to score,” Lane Hutson said before overtime began, Jayden Struble shared. [ TVA Sports ]
Hutson has been playing a major role for the Canadiens in the playoffs, and playing it well. [ Journal de Montreal ]
“I saw last year how electrifying the atmosphere is. I can’t wait for tonight!” Zachary Bolduc said ahead of a two-point performance in Game 3. [ La Presse ]
Phillip Danault reflected on his own experience o...
The building is loud, as it always is. It’s playoff hockey in Montreal.
First period
The Canadiens look sharp to start, using their speed to close down all attempted Lightning rushes in the neutral zone.
Zachary Bolduc gains the zone by getting the puck to Kirby Dach, who saucers it back to him. Bolduc makes a quick turn back to the slot to find a trailing Alexandre Texier, and the Frenchman makes it 1-0 for the home side.
Dach to Bolduc to Texier and it's 1-0 Habs! [...
2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs – Eastern Conference QFs
Game 3: Montreal Canadiens (A3) vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (A2)
Series tied 1-1
Start time: 7:00 PM EDT / 4:00 PM PDT In Canada: CBC, Sportsnet (English), TVA Sports (French) In the United States: TNT, truTV In the Lightning region: The Spot Streaming: HBO Max, Sportsnet+
The Montreal Canadiens players have already gotten over the disappointment of losing Game 2. That feeling has been replaced by the excitement of playin...
We have all heard the raucous chants from the fervent fans of the Montreal Canadiens, whether at the Bell Centre, or at an away game. “Go Habs, Go!” Most of us likely participated in its propagation, bellowing the battle cry of our favourite National Hockey League team, even from the relative seclusion of our homes. It echoes throughout the arena, in unison at home games, in defiance at away games. Its presence strengthens the resolve of the players and drives panic and confusion into their op...
2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs – Eastern Conference QFs
Game 3: Montreal Canadiens (A3) vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (A2)
Series tied 1-1
Start time: 7:00 PM EDT / 4:00 PM PDT In Canada: CBC, Sportsnet (English), TVA Sports (French) In the United States: TNT, truTV In the Lightning region: The Spot Streaming: HBO Max, Sportsnet+
It was a difficult end to Game 2 for the Montreal Canadiens. With a 2-1 lead going into the third period, the Habs managed to create offence worth just 0.09...
Montreal Canadiens news and notes
From Wisconsin to Montreal, by Cole Caufield. [ The Players’ Tribune ]
“I think we expect more from ourselves,” says the Habs’ leading goal-scorer. [ Montreal Gazette ]
How the Habs and Tampa Bay Lightning are handling the absences of key defencemen. [ Sportsnet ]
The Canadiens are rallying around Kirby Dach ahead of Game 3. [ NHL.com ]
David Savard also weighs in to defend the Habs forward. [ La Presse ]
Inside Bryce Pickford’s...
In sudden-death overtime, you’re only a shot away from winning the game, but only if you actually take it.
In overtime on Tuesday night, the Montreal Canadiens did not record a single shot on goal. Even in their Game 6 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2021, when they were outshot 13-1 before Jesperi Kotkaniemi’s game-winner, they had more shots than they did in the 12:48 of extra hockey in Game 2 of their series against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
There is no denying that Kirby Dach ...
As the Montreal Canadiens land in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the second consecutive year, now’s the perfect time to shine the light on the rise of Juraj Slafkovský . But first let’s rewind to Milano Cortina for a sec.
Slafkovský didn’t just show up to play at the 2026 Winter Olympics, he made it crystal clear that this was his stage. While Montreal sat idle for a few weeks, Slaf put the hockey world on notice, piling up four goals, leading the team with eight points across six games, an...