The Montreal Canadiens begin the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs on Sunday, April 19, 2026, on the road against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena in Tampa. Tampa Bay earned the No. 2 seed in the Atlantic Division with 106 points, while Montreal qualified as the Atlantic’s third seed also with 106 points. Game 1 airs on TNT and Max, with the series continuing on ESPN and TNT throughout the first round.
Canadiens vs. Lightning: First Round Schedule
Here’s the complete first round schedule for the Canadiens vs. Lightning, via the NHL’s official first round schedule. Games 5 through 7 are if necessary.
| Game | Date | Time (ET) | Site | TV / Stream |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | April 19 (Sun) | 5:45 p.m. | @ Tampa Bay (Amalie Arena) | TNT, truTV, Max, SN, CBC, TVAS |
| 2 | April 21 (Tue) | 7:00 p.m. | @ Tampa Bay (Amalie Arena) | ESPN2, SN, CBC, TVAS |
| 3 | April 24 (Thu) | 7:00 p.m. | vs. Tampa Bay (Bell Centre) | TNT, truTV, Max, SN, CBC, TVAS |
| 4 | April 26 (Sun) | 7:00 p.m. | vs. Tampa Bay (Bell Centre) | ESPN, SNE, SNO, SNP, CBC, TVAS |
| *5 | April 29 (Wed) | TBD | @ Tampa Bay | TBD |
| *6 | May 1 (Fri) | TBD | vs. Tampa Bay (Bell Centre) | TBD |
| *7 | May 3 (Sun) | TBD | @ Tampa Bay | TBD |
* If necessary. Game times and TV assignments for Games 5-7 are TBD and will be updated as the series progresses.
Montreal Canadiens Playoff FAQ
When do the Montreal Canadiens start the 2026 NHL Playoffs?
The Montreal Canadiens open the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs on Sunday, April 19, 2026, on the road against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Game 1 begins at 5:45 p.m. ET at Amalie Arena and airs on TNT and Max.
Who do the Montreal Canadiens play in the first round?
The Montreal Canadiens face the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Tampa Bay claimed the No. 2 seed in the Atlantic Division with 106 points, while Montreal qualified as the Atlantic’s third seed also with 106 points.
Where do the Canadiens play their 2026 home playoff games?
The Montreal Canadiens play their 2026 first round home games at Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec. Games 3, 4, and 6 (if necessary) are scheduled at Bell Centre, which seats approximately 21,302 for hockey.
What TV channels broadcast the Canadiens-Lightning playoff series?
Game 1 and Game 3 air on TNT, truTV, and Max. Game 2 airs on ESPN2, and Game 4 airs on ESPN. Canadian viewers can watch on SN, CBC, and TVAS throughout the series.
How did the Montreal Canadiens qualify for the 2026 playoffs?
The Montreal Canadiens qualified for the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs as the No. 3 seed in the Atlantic Division, finishing the regular season with 106 points, tied with Tampa Bay but trailing on tiebreakers.
NHL Playoff and Other Resources
- Full 2026 NHL Playoff TV Schedule and Game Times
- Interactive Bracket Maker
- 2026-27 NHL Schedule Release Info
