Both teams look to gain the upper hand in their tightly contested playoff series after overtime drama in the first two games.
Category: Sports
The Tampa Bay Lightning and Montreal Canadiens are set to face off in Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Friday, April 24, 2026, at the Bell Centre in Montreal, with the series tied at 1-1 after both teams secured overtime victories in the opening matches.
Montreal kicked off the series with a thrilling 4-3 overtime win in Game 1, featuring a remarkable hat trick from Juraj Slafkovský. Tampa Bay responded in Game 2, edging out the Canadiens with a 3-2 overtime victory, thanks to J.J. Moser’s decisive goal. The first two games highlighted the razor-thin margins between the two teams, with both contests decided in extra time, setting the stage for a high-stakes Game 3.
As the series moves to Montreal, the stakes are higher than ever. The Canadiens enter the matchup with a strong recent record against the Lightning, going 3-0-2 in their last five meetings. Cole Caufield is expected to play a key role in driving the Canadiens' offense, shifting his focus more toward playmaking rather than solely relying on his scoring ability. This adjustment comes as Tampa Bay has managed to limit Caufield to just three shots on goal in the first two games, though he has contributed three assists.
Game 3 a defining moment in the series. The Lightning hold a slight advantage in defensive statistics, boasting a 2.79 goals-against average compared to Montreal’s 3.06. Conversely, the Canadiens have demonstrated an efficient power play, converting at a rate of 23.1% in the postseason. The regular-season series was equally competitive, with Montreal finishing with a 2-1-1 record against Tampa Bay.
The playoff rivalry between the Lightning and Canadiens has intensified in recent years, particularly after their clash in the 2021 Stanley Cup Final. This season, both teams finished with 106 points, highlighting their competitiveness. Tampa Bay had a slight edge in goals scored during the regular season, netting 290 compared to Montreal’s 283. Notably, the Lightning’s experience in high-pressure playoff situations contrasts with the Canadiens’ youthful energy, making this series a fascinating matchup.
In the first two games, the physicality was evident, with a combined total of 80 penalty minutes and 163 hits. The Lightning have managed to maintain a wide advantage in shot attempts (100 to 66) and shots on goal (42 to 27) at even strength, yet the Canadiens have excelled in generating high-danger scoring chances, leading 18 to 7 in that category. Montreal's Jakub Dobes has performed admirably in goal, holding an .895 save percentage, though he faces a formidable challenge against Tampa Bay’s Andrei Vasilevskiy, who is widely regarded as one of the best goaltenders in the league and a likely Vezina Trophy candidate.
As the teams prepare for Game 3, the Canadiens will benefit from the last change advantage at home, allowing head coach Martin St. Louis to match lines strategically. This could prove decisive in controlling the pace of the game and maximizing scoring opportunities. The atmosphere at the Bell Centre, known for its intensity during playoff games, will also be a factor as Montreal looks to capitalize on home-ice advantage.
Looking ahead, Game 3 is expected to be another tightly contested affair. Analysts predict a slightly more open game than the previous two, as both teams aim to establish their playing styles. The Canadiens will likely rely on their speed and skill, leveraging the larger ice surface at the Bell Centre, whereas Tampa Bay will focus on tightening their defensive play and taking advantage of special teams.
The betting odds for Game 3 have the Lightning as slight favorites at -120, indicating a highly competitive matchup. The over/under for total goals is set at six, with projections from the SportsLine Model estimating a total of 6.1 combined goals based on extensive simulations. Top performers to watch include Caufield and Vasilevskiy for Montreal and Tampa Bay, respectively, as both teams look to their star players to deliver in crunch time.
With Game 4 scheduled for Sunday, April 26, the outcome of Game 3 could significantly influence the series momentum. As both teams strive for supremacy, the outcome of this game may set the tone for the remainder of the series. Fans can catch all the action live on TNT and stream it via DIRECTV.