Canadiens and Lightning Face Off in NHL Playoffs First Round Game 1

How to watch the matchup between the Montreal Canadiens and Tampa Bay Lightning on April 19

Apr. 19, 2026 at 2:23pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a hockey game with overlapping planes of red, blue, and white, representing the intensity and competition of the playoff matchup between the Montreal Canadiens and Tampa Bay Lightning.The first-round playoff matchup between the Canadiens and Lightning will feature a clash of two of the NHL's most storied franchises.Today in Tampa

The Montreal Canadiens and Tampa Bay Lightning will meet in Game 1 of their NHL Playoffs First Round series on April 19, 2026. The game will be played at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida and will air on TNT with a 5:45 p.m. ET start time.

Why it matters

This first-round playoff matchup between the Canadiens and Lightning features two of the NHL's most storied franchises. The winner of this series will advance to the next round of the postseason, moving one step closer to the ultimate goal of winning the Stanley Cup.

The details

The Canadiens finished the regular season with a 48-24-10 record, earning the second wild card spot in the Eastern Conference. The Lightning had a strong 50-26-6 campaign, securing the third seed in the Atlantic Division. Several key players will be out or day-to-day for this game, including Dominic James (Canadiens, leg), Pontus Holmberg (Canadiens, upper body), Jonas Johansson (Lightning, undisclosed), and Victor Hedman (Lightning, personal).

  • The game will be played on April 19, 2026.
  • Puck drop is scheduled for 5:45 p.m. ET.

The players

Montreal Canadiens

A professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and a member of the National Hockey League (NHL).

Tampa Bay Lightning

A professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida, and a member of the National Hockey League (NHL).

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What they’re saying

“This is going to be an exciting first-round matchup between two talented teams. The Canadiens and Lightning have a long history of playoff battles, and I expect this series to be just as hard-fought.”

— Dominic Moore, NHL Analyst

What’s next

The winner of this first-round series will advance to the second round of the NHL Playoffs.

The takeaway

This opening-round playoff clash between the Canadiens and Lightning promises to be a thrilling and competitive series as two of the league's top teams battle for a chance to move closer to the Stanley Cup.