| Scoring | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TBL | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| MTL | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
Lightning, First Round Game 4, beat Canadiens 3–2 at Bell Centre on April 26, 2026.
The Montreal Canadiens faced off against the Tampa Bay Lightning in a critical Game 4 of the First Round playoff series. The game saw the Lightning come from behind to win 3-2, tying the series at 2-2. With both teams battling for the upper hand, the pressure is now on the Canadiens as they head into the next game.
This game marked the fourth matchup in a best-of-seven series. With the series now tied at 2-2, both teams are vying for the chance to advance further in the playoffs. The Lightning's victory not only kept their championship hopes alive but also shifted the momentum back to their favor, showcasing their resilience.
The Canadiens started strong, taking a 2-0 lead in the second period with goals from Zachary Bolduc and Cole Caufield. Bolduc scored at 10:06, followed shortly by Caufield's strike at 13:29. However, the Lightning turned the tide with a crucial goal from Jake Guentzel just before the end of the second period at 19:06, closing the gap to 2-1. This late-period goal shifted the momentum, giving Tampa Bay the boost they needed entering the final frame.
In the third period, the Lightning continued to build on their momentum. Brandon Hagel scored twice within a span of 13 minutes, first equalizing the game at 1:40 and then sealing the victory at 15:07. His standout performance underscored the Lightning's determination and ability to capitalize on the Canadiens' momentary lapse.
For the Canadiens, Zachary Bolduc and Cole Caufield were the notable contributors, each scoring a goal. Nick Suzuki also played a key role by providing an assist on Caufield's goal. However, it was the Lightning’s offense that shone brighter overall. Tampa Bay’s Brandon Hagel was the game's standout player, netting two crucial goals that turned the game's outcome in his team's favor. Jake Guentzel also played a significant part, contributing a goal and an assist.
As the series heads into Game 5, both teams will be looking to assert their dominance. The Canadiens must regroup after this close loss to regain their home-ice advantage while the Lightning will aim to build on their newfound momentum. Excitement builds as the series continues, and fans can expect fierce competition in the upcoming game.
Lightning won 3–2.
The final score was Lightning 3, Canadiens 2.
Brandon Hagel (2), Jake Guentzel.
Cole Caufield, Zachary Bolduc.
Andrei Vasilevskiy made 16 saves on 18 shots (.889 save percentage).
Jakub Dobes made 17 saves on 20 shots (.850 save percentage).
At Bell Centre in Montréal, the Canadiens home rink.
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