With the third game of the series, the Montreal Canadiens now hold a 2–1 lead over the Tampa Bay Lightning.
It's still very early in the series, and things can change quickly, but the fact that the Canadians have the advantage in first place is rather encouraging, as they are clearly the underdogs in the series.
With that in mind, let's take a look at some of the factors that have helped the Canadiens take the lead in the series.
Quality Scoring Possibilities
The Lightning have controlled the majority of shots at 5v5, shooting 55.4%. However, it is the Montreal Canadiens who have managed to create the most risky scoring opportunities.
And it's not even a relatively close contest.
In three games, the Canadiens have made 24 high-danger shots, while allowing the Lightning to take just eight. This means hubs has taken control 75% high quality shots Across the series, that isn't just a modest gain, it marks a major lead in an important statistical category.
To make matters more interesting, the Habs allowed the Lightning to generate a total of two quality scoring chances in Games 1 and 3 combined.
This is coming from a team that ranked 27th in the league in high-danger scoring chances throughout the regular season with a 46.4% share.
Secondary and Tertiary Scoring
With Juraj Slajkowski's powerplay hat trick in the rearview mirror, it has become clear that the first line is having difficulty generating much aggression at 5v5.
Even at the Bell Centre, where head coach Martin St-Louis controlled the matchup, Montreal's first line barely broke even in shot shares.
Given that Slafkowski, Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield carried much of the load during the regular season, it's fair to say the rest of the team will have to make up for the lack of goals at 5v5 in the playoffs, but that's easier said than done.
Heading into Friday's game, only Josh Anderson (2) managed to find the back of the net at 5v5, making goals from Alexandre Texier, Kirby Dach and Lane Hutson very important from a roster construction standpoint, giving the first line a little more time to work out their issues.
Kirby Dach tied the game after Arbor Zekaj kept the game alive.
2-2 #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/AqPB3WOkTX
- Montreal Hockey Now (@MTLhockeynow) 25 April 2026
third pair
When evaluating defense personnel, it is always important to acknowledge that use yields results.
An easier assignment, such as playing on the third pairing, makes life easier on the depth blueliner.
However, Arbor Czekaj and Jaden Struble are not only playing well on the third pairing, but they are also effective physically, and when it comes to keeping the puck away from Jacob Dobbs as much as possible.
To put a fine point on the excellence of Czekaj and Struble, they lead the entire NHL in expected goal share. Xhekaj अभी तक 5v5 के मुकाबले एक उच्च-खतरे वाले स्कोरिंग मौके के लिए बर्फ पर नहीं है, एक अनुस्मारक कि लगातार उपयोग से उन खिलाड़ियों के लिए महान चीजें हो सकती हैं जो NHL में अपनी स्थिरता खोजने का प्रयास कर रहे हैं।
Sure, they face lower quality competition than most, but if it were that easy to produce 80 xGF% on the third pairing, we'd see it more often around the league.
The reality is that few, if any other pairings have managed to control the same percentage of shots, goals, scoring chances and expected goals as Czekaj and Struble.
All Montreal Canadiens stats are 5v5, via Natural Stat Trick, unless otherwise noted.
