The playoffs are here, and for the Montreal Canadiens, they start with a familiar foe, the Tampa Bay Lightning in a rematch of the 2021 Stanley Cup Final.

CityNews sat down with Sportsnet and Hockey Night in Canada analyst Luke Gazdic to break down the series and what to expect ahead of Sunday’s Game 1.

Ahead of Sunday’s rematch. Is some element of revenge on the minds of players?

“Oh, absolutely. And if you watched the last time these two teams played, it’s clear they don’t like each other very much. There was a lot of animosity, and I’m sure it’s going to carry over right into this playoff series. It’s interesting. It’s kind of like the veteran hockey team that’s been there, done that, versus the new kids on the block who are trying to get their foot in the door in Montreal with having the young talent that they do. So it’s just going to be an excellent series.”

Coming off milestone years for several players, can we expect more of the same from Caufield, Suzuki, Slafkovský, etc.?

“Well, this has been probably the best line in hockey since, I’m going to say, the Olympic break. Obviously, 30 goals for Slafkovský, 50 for Caulfield, 100-point season for Suzuki. They’ve just been absolutely buzzing everywhere on the ice. And like I said earlier with the team, I expect that top line to carry this over right into the playoffs. If they want to have any chance, the top line is really going to have to power them and become a huge fan of Nick Suzuki along the way here. I have for quite some time, but he’s really taken his game to another level.”

Montreal Canadiens’ Cole Caufield (13) skates by the number 50 prior to an NHL hockey game against the New Jersey Devils in Montreal, Sunday, April 5, 2026. Caufield is one goal away from scoring his 50th for the regular season. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

Beyond those three players, does Montreal have enough scoring depth to really challenge the Lightning?

“Well, they’re better. And they have to find some throughout the lineup. I think they do. If you look at even through their second line with Demidov, who’s had an outstanding rookie campaign, you go down to their d-core, Lane Hutson, one of the most skilled defenders and offensive defenseman the game has to offer. So I think they can find some scoring from everywhere. They have the right guy behind the bench and Marty St. Louis, who’s been there, done that. And I’m sure he’ll be having all those guys go on.”

Should Montreal fans be concerned about the goaltending situation? Can Jakub Dobeš and Jacob Fowler somehow get the better of veteran Andrei Vasilevskiy?

“Well, I’m not. I know Vasilevskiy is an intimidating, I’ll call it scary, goaltender in the playoffs. One of the best of all time in big games, in big situations. But Dobeš has been outstanding. Fowler, I want to say, kind of came out of nowhere. I think everyone thought he was going to be good, but not this good this early. I like their chances. They have two guys that have played some really, really good hockey, and then that for them. And at the end of the day, they just need one guy to make some saves.”

What role will physicality play in this series, and can the Habs keep up in that department?

“Yeah, they’re not the biggest team in the world, but they have a lot of fight. And I think they’ve shown that this Tampa team likes to bully you a little bit. They have that pack mentality where they have a couple of guys that play that way. And Montreal hasn’t shown that they’re afraid at all. Ex-Hab, Corey Perry, you know, is going to be stirring it up a little bit on the Tampa Bay side. But I like this Montreal team to go toe-to-toe with them. It’s going to be a great challenge, not just on the ice in terms of the skill, but like you said, with the physicality and some meanness as well.”

Do you have a wild card player who could define this series?

“On the Montreal side, I really like Jake Evans, not just because he’s a Toronto kid and we went to the same high school. I just think he’s a clutch player. He is more on the defensive side, taking big face-offs and killing penalties. But I think he’s going to chip in with some big goals along the way. He’s built for the playoffs.”

Montreal Canadiens’ Jake Evans (71) celebrates with teammate Cole Caufield (13) after scoring against the Vegas Golden Knights during overtime NHL hockey action in Montreal, Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

What is the most likely path to victory for Montreal?

“Starts with this first series. I don’t think they can look any further past Game 1 or Series 1. This thing might go six, maybe, might go seven. But past that, I like their chances. They are one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference in the league. They’ve shown it all year. So for them, I’m sure they’re doing the same. Take it one game at a time.”

You can watch Game 1 of the playoffs between the Montreal Canadiens and Tampa Bay Lightning live on Sportsnet Sunday at 5:45 p.m.

Nick Paul #20 of the Tampa Bay Lightning against Nick Suzuki #14 of the Montreal Canadiens at Benchmark International Arena on December 28, 2025 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mark LoMoglio/NHLI via Getty Images) 2025 NHLI