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Canadiens Edge Lightning 3-2 in Game 5.

5/1/2026

47 8 Full Breakdown

Summary

Canadiens Defeat Lightning

Montreal Canadiens defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-2 in Game 5 on April 30, 2026.
Alexandre Texier scored the winner 1:06 into the third after his shot hit goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy’s glove.
Rookie netminder Jakub Dobes made 38 saves on 40 shots, including 17 in the third.
Kirby Dach gave Montreal the lead 11 seconds after Dominic James tied, sending the Lightning to Game 6 Friday at 7 p.m. ET in Montreal.

Summary

Gallagher Scores

Brendan Gallagher scored at 3:00 of the first period, prompting Josh Anderson to say his energy boosts Montreal whenever he dons the sweater.
Corey Perry lamented the loss, saying the Lightning pushed but wasn’t there.
Coach Martin St. Louis praised a more mature collective effort that kept the team in the game.
Jakub Dobes highlighted defensive cohesion needed to survive a five-on-six stretch late in the third.

History

Historical Context

In 1979 the Canadiens completed a four-year championship run, defeating the New York Rangers 4-1 on home ice for the first time since 1968 and becoming the only non-metropolitan team to win four straight titles. The 2026 playoff sees rookie netminder Jakub Dobes stop 38 shots, echoing that historic resilience as Montreal chases a 25th Cup.

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Canadiens Defeat Lightning

Montreal Canadiens defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-2 in Game 5 on April 30, 2026.
Alexandre Texier scored the winner 1:06 into the third after his shot hit goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy’s glove.
Rookie netminder Jakub Dobes made 38 saves on 40 shots, including 17 in the third.
Kirby Dach gave Montreal the lead 11 seconds after Dominic James tied, sending the Lightning to Game 6 Friday at 7 p.m. ET in Montreal.

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