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# Tampa BAE Lightning Playoff Preview: RD 1 GM 1
- URL: https://www.bayareaexaminer.com/tampa-bae-lightning-playoff-preview/
- Published: 2026-04-19T18:30:37.000Z
- Updated: 2026-04-19T18:30:37.000Z
- Description: It's the Most Wonderful Time of Year
- Author: Collin Sherwin
- Tags: #Migrated-1792597384348, #Import 2026-10-21 15:44

The Tampa Bay Lightning are officially back in the post season race for The Stanley Cup with their first round match up coming against the Montreal Canadiens.

The Lightning are looking to bounce back to their winning ways and avoid a first round exit while the Canadiens are a young group looking to begin their own string of deep Cup runs.

This series is going to be a very tightly contested one. LOTS of folks are saying the Lightning are going to win handily. I’m not as convinced, but let’s deep dive into some real facts here based on how these teams fared against one another.

The Canadiens finished 48-24-10 while the Lightning finished 50-26-6\. Both teams had nearly identical records with the Canadiens being a little worse in OT scenarios. Head to head the Lightning finished 2-2-0 against the Canadiens. They split the series home and away with each team getting one in each of their respective arenas.

Goals For Tampa Bay: 13

Goals For Montreal: 11

Interesting wrinkle to this stat, Vasy did not register a win against the Canadiens this year. Jojo earned both victories. I’m not suggesting to start Jojo (I’m not sure he’s even healthy), but it is curious that the All Star Vezina finalist didn’t find a win against his Round 1 opponent in the regular season.

In the games the Lightning won, they scored first. In the games they lost, they didn’t. Obvious, yet important. The Lightning have really struggled with scoring first as the season came to a close. Playing from behind in the regular season is thrilling and can be exciting. Playing from behind in the playoffs is a decisive disadvantage. Opportunities tend to be pretty tight and coming from behind is not as common. The Lightning cannot afford to fall behind early.

Another area where the Lightning need to do much better is on the power play. In the four games against the Canadiens this year, the Lightning went a putrid 1-for-12\. However, for as much as the Lightning struggled with the extra man on the ice, they were exceptional on the PK. The Lightning went an outstanding 16-for-18 while short handed against Montreal.

Another aspect of the game I’d like to see improvement in is the face off dot. The Canadiens bullied the Bolts in the first two games with the Lightning going 30% & 37% for the first two games and, better but still losing the battle, 46% & 48% in the final two. You simply cannot score without the puck and it sure makes it a lot easier to do that if you can control the play from the get go.

Speaking of controlling games, the Lightning and Canadiens could not be more different in how they win. The Canadiens use high flying speed and sharp shooting rush attacks to beat teams, the Lightning are more system oriented with their game designed to spend time in their opponents zone and break down their defense to score on lapse opportunities. If the Lightning are going to win this series, they cannot give up the middle of the ice. They absolutely need to clog passing lanes, prevent fast breaks, and keep shots far and to the edges of the boards. Giving Montreal time, space, and strong looks from the hashmark areas is not going to bode well.

Finally, the Lightning need to be in control of their emotions. In more than one interview, we have been told how this teams responds well when they are emotionally locked into a game. That has happened through big time events like the Stadium series or through guys stepping up like Sabourin feeding someone fists to fire up the bench. Here’s the thing: It’s the Stanley Cup Playoffs. You’re starting the series at home. If you’re not immediately engaged, what are you even doing?

Controlling their emotions will also help avoid the penalty box. The Lightning were, by far, the most penalized team in the league this year. They took 425 penalties. The Bruins were second at 372\. The Canadiens know this about the Lightning and they will try to get under their skin and get them to jump at a scrum. The Lightning need to stay above it. Keep cool and focus on the game at hand.

Tonight will tell us a lot about how this series will go. It is home ice. Control this one from the get go. Do not let Montreal steal one from you.

Let’s Go Bolts! See you at 5:45!