The Montreal Canadiens and the Tampa Bay Lightning engaged in a tightly contested first-period battle during their NHL playoff series on Friday, April 24, 2026, in Montreal. The game, captured by Christinne Muschi, featured determined play from both teams and showcased the skills of goaltenders Jakub Dobes of the Canadiens and Andrei Vasilevskiy of the Lightning.

First Period Action

Texier opened the scoring for Montreal at 4:53 of the first period, recording his first goal of the playoffs. He converted a well-placed pass, giving the Canadiens an early lead.

Lightning Respond

The Lightning answered with resilience. Hagel gave Tampa Bay their first lead of the game at 4:47 of the second period. The goal resulted from a turnover at center ice, allowing Hagel to skillfully shoot the puck past Dobes, bringing his series total to four goals.

Canadiens Fight Back

The Canadiens quickly responded. Dach equalized the score at 12:43 of the second period with a wrist shot that deflected off a Lightning defender. This marked Dach’s first postseason goal and renewed the Canadiens’ momentum.

Third Period and Special Teams Struggles

The third period was filled with action and near misses. A Canadiens player had a breakaway opportunity early in the period but fanned on the shot in front of Vasilevskiy.

Power Play Woes

The Canadiens’ power play, which had been successful in Game 1 with three goals, struggled on Friday night, going 0-for-4. They have only scored one power play goal in their last eight attempts. The Lightning also failed to capitalize on their power play opportunity, going 1-for-5 throughout the game. Neither team could consistently exploit their man-advantage situations.

Goaltending and Key Saves

Anderson had a breakaway opportunity immediately after exiting the penalty box, but Vasilevskiy denied the Canadiens’ third breakaway of the game. Vasilevskiy’s performance highlighted his importance to the Lightning.

Looking Ahead

The game showcased the intense competition and strategic play of playoff hockey. Both Dobes and Vasilevskiy made crucial saves. The series remains competitive, with future games likely hinging on special teams execution, capitalizing on scoring chances, and continued strong goaltending from both teams. The atmosphere in Montreal was electric, reflecting the passion of the Canadiens’ fanbase.