Full Breakdown
Canadiens Win Overtime Thriller to Take Series Lead
4/25/2026, 10:49:20 AM
Series Overview and Recent Games
The first-round series between the Montreal Canadiens and the Tampa Bay Lightning has featured three consecutive overtime games. All three contests have been decided in overtime, continuing the series of extra-time thrillers that opened the round. The Canadiens captured Game 1 with a 4-3 victory on Sunday, the Lightning responded with a 3-2 win on Tuesday, and Game 3 concluded with a 3-2 overtime win for Montreal on Friday, giving the Canadiens a 2-1 series advantage.
Game Timeline of Scoring Events
- 4:53 of the first period: Alexandre Texier opened scoring for Montreal, assisted by Kirby Dach.
- 7:42 of the first period: Tampa Bay’s Brayden Point tied the game on a power play after a pass from Jake Guentzel.
- 4:47 of the second period: Brandon Hagel scored his fourth goal of the series, putting Tampa Bay ahead 2-1.
- 7:17 left in the second period: Kirby Dach equalized for Montreal with a snap shot from the top of the right circle, beating Andrei Vasilevskiy on the short side.
- Overtime, 2:09: Lane Hutson scored the winning goal on a slap shot from the top of the right circle, finding the top left corner behind Vasilevskiy, the only shot on goal in overtime.
Key Players and Goaltenders
- Lane Hutson (Montreal) – scored the overtime winner.
- Kirby Dach (Montreal) – contributed a tying goal and an assist on the opening goal.
- Alexandre Texier (Montreal) – opened scoring.
- Brayden Point (Tampa Bay) – tied the game on a power play.
- Brandon Hagel (Tampa Bay) – scored the go-ahead goal, his fourth of the series.
- Andrei Vasilevskiy (Tampa Bay) – made 26 saves, including the overtime period.
- Jakub Dobes (Montreal) – stopped 15 shots, faced two goals from Point and Hagel.
Game Statistics
- Final score: Montreal Canadiens 3, Tampa Bay Lightning 2 (OT).
- Shots on goal: Tampa Bay 26 (all saved by Vasilevskiy), Montreal 15 (all saved by Dobes).
- Overtime: One shot on goal, taken by Hutson, resulted in the winning goal.
- Power-play goals: Tampa Bay recorded one (Point); Montreal none.
- Penalties: Dobes was penalized for tripping Yanni Gourde, leading to a Tampa Bay power-play opportunity.
Implications for the First-Round Series
The overtime victory gives Montreal a 2-1 lead in the series. Tampa Bay now trails, while Montreal will host Game 4 on Sunday night.
Upcoming Game 4
Game 4 is scheduled for Sunday night in Montreal. The winner will take a 3-1 series lead, placing the loser in a must-win situation for the remainder of the series.
