The Tampa Bay Lightning open the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs on Sunday, April 19, 2026, hosting the Montreal Canadiens 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.
Lightning vs. Canadiens: First Round Schedule
Here’s the complete first round schedule for the Lightning vs. Canadiens, 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. | vs. Montreal (Amalie Arena) | TNT, truTV, Max, SN, CBC, TVAS |
| 2 | April 21 (Tue) | 7:00 p.m. | vs. Montreal (Amalie Arena) | ESPN2, SN, CBC, TVAS |
| 3 | April 24 (Thu) | 7:00 p.m. | @ Montreal (Bell Centre) | TNT, truTV, Max, SN, CBC, TVAS |
| 4 | April 26 (Sun) | 7:00 p.m. | @ Montreal (Bell Centre) | ESPN, SNE, SNO, SNP, CBC, TVAS |
| *5 | April 29 (Wed) | TBD | vs. Montreal | TBD |
| *6 | May 1 (Fri) | TBD | @ Montreal (Bell Centre) | TBD |
| *7 | May 3 (Sun) | TBD | vs. Montreal | TBD |
* If necessary. Game times and TV assignments for Games 5-7 are TBD and will be updated as the series progresses.
Tampa Bay Lightning Playoff FAQ
When do the Tampa Bay Lightning start the 2026 NHL Playoffs?
The Tampa Bay Lightning open the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs on Sunday, April 19, 2026, hosting the Montreal Canadiens at Amalie Arena. Game 1 begins at 5:45 p.m. ET and airs on TNT and Max.
Who do the Tampa Bay Lightning play in the first round?
The Tampa Bay Lightning face the Montreal Canadiens in the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. 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.
Where do the Lightning play their 2026 home playoff games?
The Tampa Bay Lightning play their 2026 first round home games at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. Games 1, 2, 5, and 7 (if necessary) are scheduled at Amalie Arena, which seats approximately 19,092 for hockey.
What TV channels broadcast the Lightning-Canadiens playoff series?
Games 1 and 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 Tampa Bay Lightning qualify for the 2026 playoffs?
The Tampa Bay Lightning qualified for the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs as the No. 2 seed in the Atlantic Division, finishing the regular season with 106 points. Tampa Bay drew the Atlantic’s third seed, the Montreal Canadiens (106 points), in the first round.
NHL Playoff and Other Resources
- Full 2026 NHL Playoff TV Schedule and Game Times
- Interactive Bracket Maker
- 2026-27 NHL Schedule Release Info
