Lightning and Canadiens Clash in Highly Anticipated Playoff Rematch

Two-time defending champions Tampa Bay face off against resurgent Montreal in first-round showdown

Apr. 19, 2026 at 4:42am

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting the action of a hockey game, with the players and puck broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in the teams' vibrant colors.The high-stakes first-round playoff clash between the veteran Lightning and the rising Canadiens promises an intense, action-packed series.Today in Tampa

The 2026 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs open with a highly anticipated rematch between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Montreal Canadiens. The two teams last met in the 2021 Stanley Cup Final, with the Lightning emerging victorious. Now, they'll renew their rivalry in the first round, as the veteran Lightning look to avoid a fourth straight early postseason exit, while the up-and-coming Canadiens aim to pull off the upset.

Why it matters

This series features a clash of two of the Eastern Conference's top teams, with the Lightning and Canadiens both finishing the regular season with 106 points. The winner will likely face another tough opponent in the second round, making this opening matchup crucial. The history between these franchises also adds extra intrigue, as the Canadiens will be looking to avenge their 2021 Cup Final loss to the two-time defending champions.

The details

The Lightning boast one of the NHL's most potent offenses, led by Hart Trophy candidate Nikita Kucherov and a supporting cast that includes Jake Guentzel, Brandon Hagel, and Darryn Raddysh. Defensively, Tampa Bay is stifling, allowing the third-fewest goals per game behind the stellar goaltending of Andrei Vasilevskiy. The Canadiens, meanwhile, have found their scoring touch, with Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Lane Hutson, and Juraj Slafkovsky powering an attack that ranks eighth in the league. However, Montreal's defense and goaltending remain a concern, potentially leaving them vulnerable against the Lightning's firepower.

  • The series begins on Sunday, April 19 at 5:45 p.m. ET.
  • The Lightning and Canadiens split their four regular-season meetings, with Tampa Bay winning the first two games and Montreal taking the final two.

The players

Nikita Kucherov

The Lightning's superstar forward is a Hart Trophy candidate after recording 130 points (44 goals, 86 assists) in the regular season.

Nick Suzuki

The Canadiens' top-line center led the team with 101 points (29 goals, 72 assists) during the regular season.

Andrei Vasilevskiy

The Lightning's elite goaltender is a Vezina Trophy frontrunner, posting a 2.31 GAA and .912 save percentage in 58 games.

Cole Caufield

The Canadiens' goal-scoring winger netted 51 goals and added 37 assists for 88 total points in the regular season.

Lane Hutson

The Canadiens' standout defenseman ranked fourth among all NHL blueliners with 78 points (12 goals, 66 assists).

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What they’re saying

“This series has all the makings of a classic playoff matchup between two of the East's top teams. The history between these franchises, combined with the talent on both sides, should make for some incredible hockey.”

— Keagan Smith, NHL Analyst

“We know the Lightning are the favorites, but we're not going to back down. This is our chance to prove we belong among the league's elite and avenge that 2021 loss.”

— Nick Suzuki, Canadiens Center

What’s next

The winner of this series will likely face the Buffalo Sabres in the second round, setting up another tough test for the advancing team.

The takeaway

This first-round clash between the Lightning and Canadiens promises to be a high-scoring, hard-hitting affair between two of the Eastern Conference's top teams. While Tampa Bay's experience and elite goaltending make them the favorites, Montreal's dynamic offense has the potential to pull off the upset and advance to the second round.