The series between the Montreal Canadiens and the Tampa Bay Lightning has come down to Game 7. The two teams have really put each other to the test in Round 1 of the Eastern Conference playoffs. Neither side has been able to gain momentum by winning back-to-back games.
Interestingly, both teams have been dominating each other on the opposing team’s home ice. Game 7 will be played at the Benchmark International Arena, where the Canadiens have won the previous three games. The Lightning will be hoping to change these trends and win what could be their biggest game of the season so far.
For the fans who are looking to watch the game from their home, here are the channels it will air on Sunday, May 3, at 6 PM ET:
- In Canada: CBC, Sportsnet (English), TVA Sports (French)
- In the United States: TNT, truTV
- In the Lightning region: The Spot
- Streaming: HBO Max, Sportsnet+
Game 6 between the Canadiens and the Lightning was one of the most intense. Both teams were able to stop each other in the midst of the ice until Gage Goncalves scored in overtime, and the only goal of the game for the Bolts. Walking into this game, the Lightning trailed the series 2-3, so their 9:03 overtime goal not only won them the game but also kept their playoff dreams alive.
Both teams were in good form during the 2026 season, finishing second and third in the Atlantic Division. Interestingly, both teams finished with 106 points from the 82 regular-season games.
The Lightning’s Brandon Hagel calls the Game 6 victory “unreal”
Brandon Hagel has been the most important player for Tampa Bay in this season’s playoffs. He has six goals and two assists in six games, for a total of eight points. Hagel’s form has been incredible, and he discussed the matchup against the Canadiens following the decisive Game 6 victory.
The forward noted that the two clubs had been unbelievably tight this season. According to Sportsnet, Hagel stated,
“It’s been unreal, to be honest. We both had 106 points coming into this series. They’re a really, really good hockey team over there; we’re a really, really good team here. I don’t think we expected anything else, other than what’s been going on. They have incredible players, they’ve got everything over there, and we think we’ve got everything over here, so there’s no doubt in mind that’s why this series is kind of going the way we expected it to.”
Hagel also discussed how the team has been working to control their emotions so that they can concentrate more on the game. He went on to add:
“There’s going to be a lot of ups and downs. That’s just the reality of hockey and the reality of the playoffs, so you’ve gotta be able to control your emotions and control when adversity hits, and I think our team’s been doing a really good job of it. And give them credit, too; their team’s been doing a really good job of it as well. So, it’s going to come down to one game.”
Brandon Hagel also stated that Game 7 will force the Lightning to evolve as a team and help them decide what comes next for them.
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