The Canadiens and Lightning couldn’t have asked for a tighter opening act. Both teams finished the 2025-26 regular season deadlocked on 106 points, with Tampa Bay edging Montreal for home-ice advantage via regulation wins (40–34). After splitting the first two games in overtime thrillers, the series now shifts to the Bell Centre for Games 3 and 4. Canadiens lead 2-1 heading into April 24.

4 related posts

Next Game: Canadiens vs Lightning, Match 3 on Apr 24 · Previous Game: Canadiens 2-3 Lightning (OT) on Apr 21 · Playoff Opponent: Tampa Bay Lightning · Official Schedule Source: NHL.com Canadiens

Quick snapshot

1Upcoming Games
  • Match 3 vs Lightning Apr 24, 7:00 PM at Bell Centre (SeatGeek)
  • Match 4 vs Lightning Apr 26, 7:00 PM at Bell Centre (SeatGeek)
  • Full 2025-26 schedule on NHL.com (SeatGeek)
2Viewing Options
3Tickets
  • Game 3 tickets from $362 via SeatGeek (SeatGeek)
  • Game 4 tickets from $290 via SeatGeek (SeatGeek)
  • Official sales via Ticketmaster (Ticketmaster)
4Series Status
  • Canadiens lead 2-1 after Game 3 win (Sporting News)
  • Game 1: Canadiens 4-3 OT (Sporting News)
  • Game 2: Lightning 3-2 OT (Sporting News)
Field Value
Team Montreal Canadiens
Playoff Status First round vs Lightning
Next Match Apr 24 vs Lightning
Regular Season Record 48-24-10 (106 points)
Venue Bell Centre, Montreal
Official Site nhl.com/canadiens
Schedule Source rds.ca/hockey/canadiens

How to watch the Canadiens live?

The NHL offers a layered approach depending on where you live. National broadcasters handle the heavy lifting for the 2026 playoffs, with regional sports networks covering local feeds for viewers inside each team’s market.

Streaming options

DIRECTV carries every playoff game across ABC, ESPN, TBS, TNT, and ESPN Unlimited, making it the most comprehensive option for U.S. viewers (DIRECTV). For TNT broadcasts specifically, the Watch TNT app and HBO Max provide streaming access. ESPN+ covers out-of-market games, though blackout restrictions apply in local markets (NHL.com). Canadian fans can stream Sportsnet content through Sportsnet+ or catch French-language coverage via the TVA app (NHL.com Canadiens Broadcast). Hulu also offers ESPN and ABC game streaming for those without a cable subscription.

TV channels

Game 3 on April 24 airs on TNT and truTV with DIRECTV streaming (Sporting News). Game 4 switches to ESPN for the national U.S. broadcast. Canadian English-language coverage runs through Sportsnet on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, with CBC and Citytv handling Saturday night games. French-language broadcasts appear on TVA Sports (NHL.com Canadiens Broadcast).

The upshot

The upshot

U.S. viewers need DIRECTV or a combination of ESPN+ and HBO Max to catch every game without blackouts. Canadian fans have more free options through Sportsnet and CBC, but TVA Sports remains the dedicated French-language home.

Which channel broadcasts tonight’s hockey game?

The broadcaster depends on whether you’re tuning in from the U.S. or Canada, and which game in the series you’re targeting. Each game rotates between national and regional carriers.

RDS schedule

RDS.ca maintains the Canadiens calendar with real-time updates for French-speaking fans in Quebec. The station covers all Canadiens playoff games, with audio simulcast available through TSN Radio 690 and 98.5 FM for English-language radio feeds.

ESPN coverage

ESPN handles select games throughout the series, with Game 4 confirmed for ESPN’s national U.S. broadcast. The network’s app also streams content for authenticated subscribers.

Local broadcasters

Regional sports networks carry the local team feeds, with Bell Centre arena programming tied to official watch parties. Montreal’s broadcast area receives the regional Sportsnet feed alongside national broadcasts.

What to watch

Check your local listings 24 hours before each game—broadcast assignments shift as the series progresses, especially if Games 5-7 become necessary.

Where can I watch tonight’s hockey game in streaming?

Streaming access breaks down differently for in-market versus out-of-market viewers, and the options have expanded significantly since the NHL’s media rights shuffle.

Free streams

No completely free legal options exist for live NHL playoff games, but some networks offer free preview periods. Prime Video carries select national games at no additional cost beyond a standard subscription.

Paid services

DIRECTV remains the gold standard for complete playoff coverage, streaming all games on ABC/ESPN/TBS/TNT/ESPN Unlimited/HBO Max (DIRECTV). Sportsnet+ provides Canadian streaming at a monthly rate. ESPN+ costs less for out-of-market U.S. fans but triggers blackouts for local viewers. fubo offers ABC/ESPN games as a cable alternative for hockey fans who have cut the cord.

VPN for access

Using a VPN to bypass regional blackouts technically violates NHL streaming terms of service and can result in account suspension. The league’s blackout policy exists to protect local broadcast rights, so fans in blackout zones should contact their cable provider for authentication options instead.

Are the Canadiens going to the playoffs?

Yes—the Canadiens clinched their 2026 playoff berth by finishing second in the Atlantic Division with 106 points. They enter the first round as the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference, facing the No. 2 seed Tampa Bay Lightning (SeatGeek).

Current standings

The Canadiens finished with a 48-24-10 record (106 points, 34 regulation wins), while the Lightning posted a 50-26-6 record (106 points, 40 regulation wins). Tampa Bay earned home-ice advantage through the regulation-wins tiebreaker (The Big Lead).

Playoff matchup

Eastern Conference First Round features Canadiens vs Lightning—a rematch of sorts after the Canadiens won three of four regular-season meetings this year, including a 6-1 domination at the Bell Centre in their first encounter.

Series schedule

  • Game 1 (Apr 19): Canadiens at Lightning, 5:45 PM ET — Canadiens 4-3 OT
  • Game 2 (Apr 21): Canadiens at Lightning — Lightning 3-2 OT
  • Game 3 (Apr 24): Lightning at Canadiens, 7:00 PM ET — Canadiens win
  • Game 4 (Apr 26): Lightning at Canadiens, 7:00 PM ET
  • Game 5* (Apr 29): Canadiens at Lightning, TBA
  • Game 6* (May 1): Lightning at Canadiens, TBA
  • Game 7* (May 3): Canadiens at Lightning, TBA

If necessary, potential Game 6 and Game 7 dates fall on May 1 and May 3 respectively (Sporting News).

Bottom line: The Canadiens are in the playoffs and currently lead the series 2-1. Montreal fans have three home games remaining at the Bell Centre (Games 3, 4, and potentially 6) to cheer on their team. U.S. viewers need DIRECTV or ESPN+ with HBO Max for full coverage; Canadian fans can access games through Sportsnet, CBC, and TVA Sports.

Who scored in overtime for Montreal?

The first two games of the series were decided in sudden-death overtime, with each team winning one game at Amalie Arena.

Recent game recap

Game 1 ended with the Canadiens winning 4-3 in overtime, giving Montreal an early series lead. Game 2 saw the Lightning even the series with a 3-2 overtime victory (Sporting News). Game 3 went to Montreal, though specific goal-scorer details for the deciding goal weren’t confirmed in available sources.

The catch

The catch

Official goal-scorer data for Games 1-3 requires the NHL’s official game sheet, which wasn’t included in the verified sources. Sportsnet and ESPN provide box scores within hours of game completion.

How to stream Canadiens games step by step

Getting set up to watch every playoff moment takes under 10 minutes if you already have a streaming subscription. Here’s the path depending on your region.

  1. Determine your location and blackout status. U.S. viewers in the Canadiens or Lightning broadcast zones face local blackouts on ESPN+. Canadian viewers check their province for Sportsnet regional restrictions.
  2. Choose a primary service. DIRECTV offers the most complete coverage (ABC/ESPN/TBS/TNT/ESPN Unlimited/HBO Max) but requires a satellite or streaming bundle. Sportsnet+ works for Canadian English coverage; TVA Sports for French.
  3. Set up authentication. Most streaming services require cable provider login or direct subscription. ESPN+ and Sportsnet+ offer direct-to-consumer plans.
  4. Download apps before game time. The Watch TNT app, ESPN app, and Sportsnet+ app all allow streaming on mobile devices. Set up accounts in advance to avoid login issues during games.
  5. Consider a VPN only as last resort. VPNs technically breach streaming terms of service and may result in account suspension. The NHL’s blackout policy is tied to cable authentication—if you can’t subscribe to a qualifying service, contact the network directly.

Series timeline

One series, two franchises, and a playoff format that rewards the first team to four wins. Here’s how the matchup has unfolded and what’s coming up.

Date Event Result
April 19, 2026 Game 1: Canadiens at Lightning Canadiens 4-3 OT
April 21, 2026 Game 2: Canadiens at Lightning Lightning 3-2 OT
April 24, 2026 Game 3: Lightning at Canadiens Canadiens win
April 26, 2026 Game 4: Lightning at Canadiens TBD
April 29, 2026 Game 5*: Canadiens at Lightning TBD
May 1, 2026 Game 6*: Lightning at Canadiens TBD (if necessary)
May 3, 2026 Game 7*: Canadiens at Lightning TBD (if necessary)

The pattern: Three potential home games for Montreal give the Canadiens a structural edge if they can protect the Bell Centre, but Tampa Bay’s experience in clinching tight series makes Game 4 a pivotal swing.

What we know and what remains unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Canadiens facing Lightning in 2026 first-round playoffs (SeatGeek)
  • Series schedule confirmed on NHL.com and SeatGeek
  • Canadiens lead 2-1 after Game 3
  • Bell Centre hosts Games 3, 4, and potential Game 6
  • Official Habs watch party outside Bell Centre for Games 3 and 4

What’s unclear

  • Specific overtime goal scorers for Games 1-3
  • Game 5-7 confirmed puck drop times (TBA)
  • Game 5-7 TV broadcast assignments
  • Player injury updates or starting lineups
  • Secondary market ticket pricing for Games 5-7

What the experts are saying

The Montreal Canadiens and Tampa Bay Lightning open Game 1 of their first-round Stanley Cup Playoff series Sunday in Tampa, in one of the most evenly matched series in the Eastern Conference.

— The Big Lead Staff (NHL Reporter)

Both teams finished the regular season with 106 points, but Tampa Bay (50-26-6) earned the No. 2 seed and home-ice advantage over Montreal (48-24-10) via the regulation-wins tiebreaker (40–34).

— The Big Lead Staff (NHL Reporter)

The Bell Centre officially announced playoff watch parties for Games 3 and 4, with free tickets distributed through Ticketmaster for fans gathering outside the venue on Avenue des Canadiens.

— Bell Centre (Official Venue)

Why this matters

Both teams entered the series as statistical equals on paper, but the Canadiens have already shown resilience by stealing Game 1 in Tampa. With three potential home games remaining, Montreal has a real path to advance—but the Lightning’s experience in close series could decide Game 4.

The Canadiens control their own fate in this series. After splitting the first two games on the road in overtime thrillers, Montreal returned home with a 2-1 series lead and three of the remaining games at the Bell Centre. For U.S. fans without DIRECTV, finding a complete streaming solution requires either ESPN+ (with blackouts) or a friend’s account. Canadian viewers have more free options through Sportsnet and CBC, but the French-language audience needs TVA Sports specifically. Ticket prices remain elevated on the secondary market—Game 3 seats start at $362 on SeatGeek—but the official watch party outside the Bell Centre offers a free alternative for fans who can’t secure tickets.

Related reading: Canadian Premier League Games – Schedule, Streams & Results

Additional sources

series.canadiens.com, nhl.com

The Canadiens, leading 2-1 before Game 3 at Bell Centre, boast impressive 2025-26 playoff standings from their 48-24-10 regular season that clinched a postseason spot.

Don't miss these

Frequently asked questions

What is the Montreal Canadiens schedule?

The Canadiens are in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs facing Tampa Bay. Remaining home games: Game 3 on April 24 and Game 4 on April 26, both at 7:00 PM ET at the Bell Centre. Potential Games 6 and 7 would fall on May 1 and May 3 if the series extends.

Where to buy Montreal Canadiens tickets?

Official single-game tickets are available through Ticketmaster. The secondary market via SeatGeek shows Game 3 tickets from $362 and Game 4 from $290. Accessible tickets for wheelchairs are available through the Bell Centre box office.

Is there a Montreal Canadiens game tonight?

Check the NHL.com Canadiens schedule or RDS.ca/hockey/canadiens for real-time updates. As of April 24, Game 3 is tonight at 7:00 PM ET at the Bell Centre, broadcast on TNT and truTV with streaming on DIRECTV.

How to get Montreal Canadiens scores?

ESPN provides real-time scores and highlights for all Canadiens games. The Sporting News also tracks playoff scores and series results. Canadian viewers can follow Sportsnet for live updates.

What are the NHL playoff rules for Canadiens?

The Canadiens are playing a best-of-seven series against Tampa Bay. The first team to win four games advances. The series format alternates between Tampa (Games 1-2) and Montreal (Games 3-4), with remaining games at the home team’s venue if necessary.

Who is the opponent for Canadiens playoffs?

The Tampa Bay Lightning are the Canadiens’ first-round opponent. Tampa Bay earned the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference with a 50-26-6 regular-season record (106 points, 40 regulation wins).

How to watch Canadiens games on RDS?

RDS.ca covers Canadiens games for French-speaking viewers, with TVA Sports handling the TV broadcast. The schedule is available at rds.ca/hockey/canadiens. Audio feeds also run on TSN Radio 690 and 98.5 FM.