The Montreal Canadiens were in Florida on Sunday facing the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game One of their first-round series.
Juraj Slafkowski played hero for the Habs, scoring three goals to win 4–3 and take a 1–0 series lead.
Let's look at the highlights!
veteran presence
Even though the Canadiens have one of the youngest teams in the league, it was a veteran player who carried the ball. 31-year-old Josh Anderson scored after great work on the forecheck by defenseman Alexandre Carrier to force a turnover.
Josh Anderson made the score 1-0 #GoHabsGo!
Great work by Alexandre Carrier on the forecheck. pic.twitter.com/fawCq7DZE9
- Montreal Hockey Now (@MTLhockeynow) 19 April 2026
To add to Anderson's praise, he was one of the few players who started the game with a lot of energy and consistently offered an honest effort in every innings.
Referee Charles-Edouard d'Estous is reviewing this hit by Josh Anderson. #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/5M9UbxK2jD
- Montreal Hockey Now (@MTLhockeynow) 19 April 2026
lost focus
The Canadiens appeared to take a 2–0 lead, but Anderson's second goal of the game was disallowed when he was found to have bounced the shot high off the stick.
This shifted the momentum to Tampa Bay's corner, with the home team taking a 2–1 lead on goals by Darren Raddish and Brandon Hagel less than a minute into the second period.
2 goals in 29 seconds and Hagel gives Tampa the lead 🤯🫨 pic.twitter.com/IfUKMGlfPT
- Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) 19 April 2026
power in sports
One of the few advantages heading into the series was Montreal's ability to generate a lot of powerplay goals with very few opportunities, making Juraj Slafkowski's powerplay goal in the second period more important than most late-period markers. Rookie Ivan Demidov provided excellent assists in the game.
Not only did the Habs tie the game in the final minutes of that period, but they also installed one of their most important team-wide offensive weapons in the process.
What a goal from Schlaff, what a pass from Demidov! 💎 pic.twitter.com/ok817KtmAM
- TVA Sports (@TVASports) 19 April 2026
Second
Slafkowski thought the scoring was so good that he scored it twice, his second goal of the game also coming on the power play. This gave the Canadiens a 3-2 lead with a little more than 15 minutes remaining in the third period.
It was a good reminder that the Canadiens will need their veteran and young players running in the same direction if they are to have success in the NHL playoffs.
Juraj Slafkowski delivers another powerplay #GoHabsGo 3-2 lead!! pic.twitter.com/yWdTRfoXOZ
- Montreal Hockey Now (@MTLhockeynow) 20 April 2026
first overall hat trick
The Lightning tied the game in the third period, forcing overtime, a situation that would normally favor the Habs as they are dominant in 3v3 scenarios.
However, this is the playoffs, and overtime is played at 5v5, reducing Montreal's advantage.
Luckily for head coach Martin Saint-Louis, who used the perfect timeout moments beforehand, Slafkowski completed his hat trick, securing a 1–0 series lead for the Habs in the process.
Hat trick hero!
Juraj Slafkowski won the game #GoHabsGo With his third goal.
Great job by MSL with the timeouts! pic.twitter.com/ZT5fYUwmDE
- Montreal Hockey Now (@MTLhockeynow) 20 April 2026
The Montreal Canadiens will be back in action on Tuesday facing the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 2 of their first-round series. Puck drop is scheduled for 7pm ET.
All Montreal Canadiens stats are 5v5, via Natural Stat Trick, unless otherwise noted.
