Cernak, Slafkovsky put friendship aside for 1st Round series between Lightning, Canadiens

Tampa Bay defenseman, Montreal forward helped lead Slovakia to semifinals at Winter Olympics

Apr. 19, 2026 at 4:00am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a hockey game between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Montreal Canadiens, with the players' bodies and equipment abstracted into angular, colorful shapes.The intense playoff rivalry between two former Olympic teammates adds an extra layer of drama to the Lightning-Canadiens first-round series.Today in Tampa

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Erik Cernak and Montreal Canadiens forward Juraj Slafkovsky, who were teammates on the Slovak national team at the 2026 Winter Olympics, will now face off against each other in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The two friends have set aside their friendship for the duration of the series as they compete to lead their respective teams to victory.

Why it matters

This matchup between Cernak and Slafkovsky highlights the intense rivalries that can develop during the NHL playoffs, even between players who are close friends off the ice. Their Olympic experience together has added an extra layer of intrigue to this series, as they look to outperform each other while still maintaining mutual respect.

The details

Cernak and Slafkovsky were roommates at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, where they helped lead Slovakia to the semifinals of the men's hockey tournament. Now, they find themselves on opposite sides of the ice as their teams, the Tampa Bay Lightning and Montreal Canadiens, face off in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Cernak, a 28-year-old defenseman, will likely be deployed against Slafkovsky's line, which includes center Nick Suzuki and winger Cole Caufield. Slafkovsky, the first overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, is coming off a breakout season with the Canadiens, scoring 30 goals and recording 73 points.

  • The first-round series between the Lightning and Canadiens begins on April 19, 2026.
  • Cernak and Slafkovsky were teammates on the Slovak national team at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina earlier this year.

The players

Erik Cernak

A 28-year-old defenseman for the Tampa Bay Lightning who played with Juraj Slafkovsky on the Slovak national team at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Juraj Slafkovsky

A 22-year-old forward for the Montreal Canadiens who was the first overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft and is coming off a breakout season, scoring 30 goals and recording 73 points.

Nick Suzuki

The Canadiens' first-line center who recorded 101 points this season.

Cole Caufield

The Canadiens' first-line winger who scored 51 goals this season.

Ryan McDonagh

The 36-year-old veteran defenseman for the Lightning who will be paired with Cernak.

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What they’re saying

“It's always cool when I play against Juraj. He's obviously a great player. I spend a lot of time with him in the summer in Kosice. I always love being on the ice against him in the NHL. Our competitive spirit comes out quickly and we both want to put on a good show.”

— Erik Cernak, Lightning defenseman

“I'm putting that friendship on ice for the first round. I'm going to head into the corners against him, just like I'll do against all the other Lightning players. I think it'll be special to face him. I just want to end up coming out on top so I can rib him about it over the next few months.”

— Juraj Slafkovsky, Canadiens forward

“Juraj's a huge star back home. After working out at the gym in the summer, if we go out to get a coffee or something to eat, it's impossible to pass unnoticed. There are always people waiting for him to ask for an autograph or a photo. He gets recognized everywhere. He's handling all this attention and pressure so well. He's growing up as a man, but also as a hockey player.”

— Erik Cernak, Lightning defenseman

“I've been fortunate to learn from him during my off-season training. He's always going 100 percent in the gym, even if he has just come off a long playoff run. He only has one gear, and that's fifth gear. I've incorporated that mentality into my own training. He's helped me become a better player. I'll definitely want to take everything I've learned and use it against him in this series.”

— Juraj Slafkovsky, Canadiens forward

What’s next

The first-round series between the Lightning and Canadiens begins on April 19, 2026. The winner will advance to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The takeaway

This matchup between Cernak and Slafkovsky, two friends and former Olympic teammates, adds an extra layer of intrigue to the first-round playoff series between the Lightning and Canadiens. Their competitive spirit and desire to outperform each other will make for an exciting and hard-fought series, while their mutual respect and off-ice friendship will remain intact.