J.J. Moser scored at 12:48 of time beyond regulation to carry the Tampa Bay Lightning to a 3-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday night time, night the first-round collection at one sport apiece.
For the second straight sport, the groups wanted greater than 60 minutes.
This time, it ended rapidly off a faceoff within the Montreal zone. Tampa Bay gained the draw cleanly again to Moser, who circled and snapped a wrist shot over the glove of Jakub Dobeš.
Hagel, Kucherov reply for Tampa Bay
Brandon Hagel opened the scoring simply earlier than the halfway level of the primary interval, beating Dobeš with a slapshot after sustained strain within the Canadiens’ finish.
Montreal responded late within the interval on the facility play following a collection of scrums. Lane Hutson fired a shot from the blue line previous Andrei Vasilevskiy to tie the sport 1-1. The interval featured a number of altercations, with the groups combining for 38 penalty minutes.
Josh Anderson gave Montreal a 2-1 lead late within the second interval, discovering open house after a pair of board battles and ending beneath Vasilevskiy’s arm off a go from Phillip Danault.
Kucherov tied the sport with 7:27 remaining within the third interval, accumulating a unfastened puck behind the online and scoring on a wraparound. The aim was his first in 17 playoff video games, courting again to April 19, 2023. Hagel assisted on the play to finish a Gordie Howe hat trick.
JOSH ANDERSON PUTS THE HABS IN FRONT LATE IN THE SECOND ???????? pic.twitter.com/y3mSa0HHGW
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 22, 2026
Missed alternative sends sport to time beyond regulation
Montreal had a late likelihood to win in regulation when Scott Sabourin was assessed a minor penalty for interference with 2:15 remaining after a success from behind on Anderson. The Canadiens couldn’t convert, sending the sport to time beyond regulation.
Tampa Bay almost ended it earlier within the further interval on a two-on-one rush, however Dobeš made the save earlier than Moser sealed the win.
Dobeš completed with 31 saves on 34 pictures. Vasilevskiy stopped 25 of 27.
Followers react to time beyond regulation loss
At a packed watch get together at La Cage in downtown Montreal, the environment was loud and hopeful as time beyond regulation started, earlier than rapidly turning to disappointment after the winner.
“Very unhappy, upset… We have to take the win on Friday,” stated one fan. “They performed a terrific sport. They deserved to win, so it’s a troublesome loss.”
One other stated Montreal was shut to an entire effort however paid for its errors. “We performed virtually an ideal sport. That what’s so dangerous. They actually capitalized so effectively once we tousled, however we’ll be higher Friday.”
Frustration centred on the dearth of offence in time beyond regulation. “They performed a terrific sport for the primary 60 minutes of the sport however didn’t fairly present up in time beyond regulation,” one other fan stated. “Going 13 minutes and not using a shot can’t actually have that in playoff hockey, however hey, you realize, seven-game collection. There’s nonetheless one other, a minimum of 5 extra to go, or reasonably three extra to go. However you realize, we’ll attempt to get again in there at house right here on Friday night time and convey some momentum right here for the remainder of the collection.”
He additionally pointed to the anticipated impression of the Montreal crowd. “It’s gonna be electrical. You realize, Montreal is a hockey metropolis the place it’s a faith right here. Completely has been for over a century. So it’s going be nice seeing all these followers right here. You realize, nice power right here tonight at La Cage. But it surely’s gonna be much more insane with all people, you realize, 21,000 plus within the area, bunch extra exterior. Actually wanting ahead to being a part of that crowd and having a house playoff sport right here in Montreal once more.”
Some remained defiant regardless of the end result. “We began actually robust on offence at first of the sport. However in time beyond regulation we really struggled lots to make some offensive performs. We had nice defence, however on the finish of the day you’ll be able to’t win a sport by defence. No, it is advisable to rating, it is advisable to shoot, and we couldn’t try this.”
Even in defeat, the expertise stood out for some. “I’m completely happy as a result of it’s the primary time for me I watch a hockey sport in Canada in Montreal. Even when Montreal didn’t win, ensure that when I’ll come again in France, I’ll encourage this lovely group of the Canadiens,” stated one customer.
Youthful followers additionally remained optimistic. “I’m just a little bit unhappy that the Canadiens misplaced,” one stated, “however I feel they’re going to win the following sport.”
The collection now strikes to Montreal, with Sport 3 set for Friday night time and Sport 4 on Sunday.
