After splitting the first two games on the road, the Montreal Canadiens return home to face the Tampa Bay Lightning for Game 3.
Puck drop at the Bell Centre at 7 p.m. (CBC, Sportsnet, TVA Sports, TSN Radio 690, 98.5 FM).
Their best-of-seven first-round series is tied 1-1.
Here’s what you need to know:
Will the Canadiens have an answer for Tampa Bay’s physical play after losing 3-2 in overtime in Game 2?
If the Canadiens decide to fight fire with fire, they’ll need defenceman Arber Xhekaj to implicate himself without getting into penalty trouble.
Forward Juraj Slafkovsky was the story for all the right reasons in Game 1 and for all the wrong reasons in Game 2. Will he shake off Tuesday’s punch from Brandon Hagel and giving up the puck on the game-tying goal?
No lineup changes, but Oliver Kapanen is back on a line with Alex Newhook and Ivan Demidov.
Sniper Cole Caufield is goalless so far this series, but has three assists.
Stay tuned to this page for updates and game highlights throughout the evening. You can also keep the conversation going over on our livestream on the Hockey Inside Out YouTube channel.
Second Period: Hagel again
Brandon Hagel silenced the Bell Centre crowd with his fourth goal of the postseason. 2-1 Lightning
First Period: Dach rebounds
Goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy got help from the crossbar on a Kirby Dach chance, and Josh Anderson missed the net from point blank range, but the goalie came across to make a big save on Zachary Bolduc.
Goaltender Jakub Dobes was issued a rare penalty, and Brayden Point tied it up on the power play. Tied 1-1
Coach Martin St. Louis put three maligned players on a line together, and they cashed in. Alexandre Texier scored, Zachary Bolduc and Kirby Dach got the assists. 1-0 Canadiens
Pregame: Series shifts to Bell Centre
Watch the intro with Yvan Cournoyer carrying to torch into the building.
Proud Habs fans waving the flag at pregame celebrations before a playoff game against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Montreal on Friday, April 24, 2026. Evan Buhler / Montreal Gazette
Montreal Canadiens fans take in pregame celebrations before a playoff game against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Montreal on Friday, April 24, 2026. Evan Buhler / Montreal Gazette
A Tampa Bay Lightning fan gives a thumbs up before the start of game three against the Montreal Canadiens in Montreal on Friday, April 24, 2026. Evan Buhler / Montreal Gazette