The Montreal Canadiens have taken a 2–1 collection lead due to a howitzer in extra time from Lane Hutson.
The Canadiens and Lightning have been stage via 60 minutes for the third consecutive time to start out their collection, marking the primary time since 1951 that Montreal has opened a best-of-seven collection with every of the primary three video games going to extra time.
Canadiens are enjoying OT in every of the primary 3 video games of a best-of-7 collection for the primary time for the reason that 1951 Stanley Cup Ultimate#GoHabsGo
— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) April 25, 2026
Sport 3 didn’t final lengthy in OT, because the Habs utilized early strain. Because the zone play developed, Alexandre Texier despatched the puck again to the blueline, the place Hutson blasted a slapshot previous Andrei Vasilevskiy for his second purpose of the collection and the winner.
HUTSON IS THE GAME 3 HERO ‼️
Lane Hutson fires residence the Subway Canada OT winner for the Canadiens in Sport 3! pic.twitter.com/RD5wyKxyQf
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 25, 2026
The purpose despatched town into chaos.
“Very excited. It’s unbelievable right here. It’s electrical. Let’s go, child,” one fan mentioned on the watch social gathering.
“Actually, it was a extremely gutsy win. They needed to grind actually, actually laborious for it. It didn’t come straightforward. They saved coming at us, however in the long run, we simply needed to preserve surviving,” he added.
Quick begin units the tone
Montreal got here out flying. Alexandre Texier opened the scoring simply earlier than the five-minute mark on a half-slapper previous Vasilevskiy, ending a backhand feed from Zachary Bolduc.
Brayden Level tied it slightly below three minutes afterward the ability play for Tampa Bay.
“It was superb. The environment… nobody can examine to this. We’re town of hockey,” one fan mentioned.
Momentum swings and bodily battle
Brandon Hagel gave Tampa the lead within the second with a low wrist shot previous Jakub Dobeš.
Following the purpose, Dobeš and Erik Cernak acquired unsportsmanlike conduct penalties after a heated trade.
Kirby Dach tied it later within the interval, wristing a shot via visitors previous Vasilevskiy because the Bell Centre erupted into chants of “Kir-by! Kir-by!”
“Kirby Dach redemption recreation. Greatest recreation we’ve seen all season. Let’s go Kirby!” one fan mentioned.
Missed probabilities and late drama
Montreal did not capitalize on three straight Lightning penalties within the second half of the sport, ending 0-for-4 on the ability play.
Cole Caufield later broke in alone however fanned on a breakaway try, whereas Josh Anderson was stopped on a short-handed probability out of the penalty field.
Time beyond regulation heroics and metropolis celebration
Hutson ended it early in extra time, sending the Bell Centre into chaos and sparking celebrations throughout Montreal.
“I’m so comfortable… The vibe is unimaginable. Greatest workforce within the NHL,” one fan mentioned.
“Habs in 5,” one other added.
“It was unbelievable,” mentioned one other.
A metropolis totally engaged
Earlier than puck drop, Canadiens legend Ivan Cournoyer carried a torch into the stands as flames shot close to the rafters.
The 21,000 followers contained in the constructing — with a flurry of white towels rippling via the seats — then belted chants of “Go Habs Go!” and “Olé, Olé!” to drown out public tackle announcer Michel Lacroix and delay the nationwide anthems.
Hundreds crammed the streets outdoors the sector, turning downtown Montreal right into a celebration zone.
“It’s a loopy expertise. Habs for all times,” one fan mentioned.
Coach St. Louis on the environment
“I stroll on this morning, get a espresso, and there’s, I don’t know, 20-30 porta-potties outdoors,” Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis mentioned following the workforce’s morning skate. “I imply, this place is able to erupt.”
The zeal stretched 40 kilometres south to Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que., the place followers have cheered on the Habs from church pews at Cathédrale Saint-Jean-l’Évangéliste, and throughout a province that treats the Canadiens as a cultural establishment.
And it was an ideal begin Friday till the Lightning pushed again.
Each groups mixed for 30 penalty minutes.
Dobeš would decide up his second win of the playoffs, saving 15 of the 17 pictures, whereas additionally choosing up two penalty minutes. Vasilevskiy would find yourself saving 26 of the 29 pictures he confronted within the extra time loss.
Sport 4 is Sunday on the Bell Centre.
-With recordsdata from the Canadian Press
