What is the current status of the Canadiens vs. Lightning playoff series?

The Montreal Canadiens lead the series 3-2 against the Tampa Bay Lightning heading into Game 6.

When was the last time the Canadiens advanced past the first playoff round?

The Canadiens last advanced past the first playoff round in 2021, when they reached the Stanley Cup Final.

How close have the playoff games been between Montreal and Tampa Bay?

All five games in the current series have been decided by a single goal, with three going into overtime.

Home / Sports / Habs Aim to Clinch Series at Home

Habs Aim to Clinch Series at Home

2 May

•

Summary

Canadiens lead series 3-2 against the Lightning.
Montreal seeks first playoff round win since 2021.
All five games have been decided by a single goal.

The Montreal Canadiens have an opportunity to clinch their NHL first-round playoff series against the Tampa Bay Lightning on May 1, 2026. Montreal currently leads the series 3-2 following a crucial 3-2 victory in Tampa on Wednesday. This win places the Canadiens on the brink of advancing past the opening round for the first time since their 2021 Stanley Cup Final appearance. That year, they ultimately lost to the Lightning. The team had ended a three-year playoff drought last season, but their surprising run concluded in five games against Washington.

The Tampa Bay Lightning remain confident they can still turn the series around. All five games played so far have been remarkably close, with each decided by a single goal. The series has seen overtime in the first three games, and the teams have split the previous two games played in Montreal. The atmosphere at the Bell Centre is expected to be intense as the Canadiens look to secure the series victory tonight.

Disclaimer: This story has been auto-aggregated and auto-summarised by a computer program. This story has not been edited or created by the Feedzop team.