The Montreal Canadiens face the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game One of the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs on Sunday, with puck drop scheduled for 5:45 p.m. ET.
The Habs should be considered the underdogs, although it’s important to remember that they were the better team at controlling shots whenever these two met. To ensure some semblance of stability, the Canadiens will once again rely on a top line of Nick Suzuki, Juraj Slafkowski and Cole Caufield, while trying to avoid Tampa Bay’s top shutdown line.
Special teams are expected to play a significant role in the first round, and not just because it is a short series. The Canadiens are a top 10 team with the man-advantage, while the Lightning dominate whenever they are on the penalty kill. The organization that succeeds in achieving success can achieve a significant profit.
The earlier start time could also present a challenge for Montreal, a team that typically needs some type of adversity before it can respond. He can fly during the regular season, but not in the playoffs, especially against an experienced club like the Lightning.
Lineup Changes
It appears that Brendan Gallagher, David Rickenbacker, Samuel Montembeault, Jacob Fowler, Adam Engstrom, and Joe Veleno will miss Sunday’s game as healthy scratches, although Fowler is expected to serve as Jacob Dobbs’ backup.
On the ice this morning: Brendan Gallagher, Joe Veleno, Adam Engstrom, David Rickenbacker, Jacob Fowler, Samuel Montebault. @CanadiensMTL
– Renaud Lavoie (@RLavoieTVA) 19 April 2026
If any additional lineup notes are available, we will revise the projected lineup prior to puck drop.
Montreal Canadiens Projected Lineup
Cole Coffield – Nick Suzuki – Juraj Slafkowski
Alexandre Texier – Alex Newhook – Ivan Demidov
Zachary Bolduc-Oliver Kapanen-Kirby Dach
Jake Evans – Philip Danault – Josh Anderson
Mike Matheson – Alexander Carrier
Caden Guhle – Lane Hutson
Jaden Struble – Arbor Zekaj
jacob dobbs
Tampa Bay Lightning Projected Lineup
Brandon Hagel – Anthony Cirelli – Nikita Kucherov
Jake Guentzel – Brayden Point – Gage Goncalves
Zemgus Girgenson – Yanni Gourde – Nick Paul
Corey Perry – Connor Geecki – Oliver Bjorkstrand
JJ Moser – Darren Raddish
Ryan McDonagh – Eric Cernak
Charles Edouard d’Estous – Emile Lillebourg
Andrei Vasilevsky
How to watch Hubs Vs. bolt
Montreal Canadiens vs. Tampa Bay Lightning on Sunday, April 19, 2026 will be broadcast on TSN2 and RDS. A quick recap with highlights will be available on SportsNote once the final whistle blows.
Additional NHL Playoff Analysis
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