Juraj Slafkovsky netted his third power-play goal just 1:22 into overtime, leading the Montreal Canadiens to a 4-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series. Slafkovsky’s slapshot from the left circle found the net, completing a hat trick. Josh Anderson also scored for the Canadiens, while rookie goalie Jakub Dobes recorded 20 saves. For Tampa Bay, Brandon Hagel scored twice, and Darren Raddysh added another, with Jake Guentzel providing three assists. Game 2 is set for Tuesday night at Benchmark International Arena, where Tampa has struggled in recent playoff performances, losing eight of their last nine home games. The Canadiens aim to secure their first playoff series win since 2021.
Why It Matters
The Canadiens’ victory marks a significant moment as they strive for their first Stanley Cup since 1993, when they achieved their NHL-record 24th title. The Lightning, who were two wins away from a three-peat in 2022, have now been eliminated in the first round for three consecutive seasons. This playoff matchup is particularly notable as the Canadiens, under the leadership of Martin St. Louis, seek to overturn their recent playoff misfortunes, having last faced the Lightning in the Cup final in 2021. The outcome of this series could impact the future trajectories of both franchises in the post-season landscape.
Want More Context? 🔎
