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With the regular season concluded for most teams around the league, it's time to shift focus to the NHL Playoffs.
The Tampa Bay Lightning have home ice for this series, but there wasn't much separating them and the Montreal Canadiens during the regular season. It's also worth mentioning that the Canadiens are tied for the second-best road record in the NHL, at 24-9-8. Tampa has three more road losses than Montreal, but both teams have played stellar hockey during this year's campaign.
Despite finishing with the same number of points, the Lightning head into this series with a clear edge, opening up as the largest favorite in the first round (-250, DraftKings). Tampa held a slight goals per game over the Habs at 3.5 GPG, compared to Montreal's 3.4. Where the Lightning distance themselves is through their defense. They only allow 2.79 goals per game, the third-best in the league, compared to the Canadiens' 3.06 (16th).
The Canadiens do have an edge, though, pertaining to how frequently the Lightning fall victim to penalties. Montreal scores on 23.1% on its power plays, which should make the difference, as Tampa Bay leads the league in penalties per game. They were the only team to average north of 5 penalties a game this season (5.2). The Lightning also lead the league in penalties drawn, with 5.0 per game, but their lackluster power play has held them back this year.
Head-to-head this season, the Canadiens have won the most recent three games, only losing their first matchup against Tampa by means of a 6-1 blowout at Bell Centre.
Here's what you need to know to watch Lightning vs. Canadiens, including broadcast information and start times.
Lightning vs. Canadiens schedule
| April 19 | Game 1: Canadiens 4, Lightning 3 (OT) | — | — |
| April 21 | Game 2: Lightning 3, Canadiens 2 (OT) | — | — |
| April 24 | Game 3 at Canadiens | 7 p.m. | TNT, truTV, DIRECTV |
| April 26 | Game 4 at Canadiens | 7 p.m. | ESPN, DIRECTV |
| April 29 | Game 5 at Lightning | TBA | TBA, DIRECTV |
| May 1 | Game 6* at Canadiens | TBA | TBA, DIRECTV |
| May 3 | Game 7* at Lightning | TBA | TBA, DIRECTV |
* If necessary
Where to watch Lightning vs. Canadiens: TV channel, live stream
Games in the Lightning vs. Canadiens series will air on multiple channels.
Fans can stream every playoff game live on DIRECTV, which offers a free trial to new users. Games on ABC and ESPN networks can also be streamed on the ESPN app or fubo, which also has a free trial.
NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs schedule, key dates for 2026
Here are the key dates to know for the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs and offseason. Some series start dates could move up depending on when the previous series end.
| First round begins | April 18 |
| NHL Draft Lottery | May 4 or 5 |
| NHL Scouting Combine at Buffalo | May 31-June 6 |
| Stanley Cup Finals Game 7 (if necessary) | June 21 |
| NHL Draft at Los Angeles | June 26-27 |
| Free agency begins | July 1 |
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