TAMPA, Fla. — Alexandre Texier netted the decisive goal just 1:06 into the final period as Montreal defeated Tampa Bay 3-2 on Wednesday evening, giving the Canadiens a 3-2 advantage in their first-round playoff matchup.
First-year goaltender Jakub Dobes made 38 saves to push Montreal one win away from their first playoff series victory since falling to Tampa Bay in the 2021 Stanley Cup Finals.
Brendan Gallagher found the net in his series debut while Kirby Dach contributed another goal for Montreal.
The series returns to Montreal for Game 6 on Friday night, where the clubs previously split their two contests. Each of the five games has been settled by a single goal, with the opening three requiring overtime.
Dominic James notched his inaugural playoff goal and Jake Guentzel added a score for the Lightning, who face elimination in the opening round for the fourth consecutive year with another loss.
The Lightning have dropped 10 of their past 12 postseason home contests despite selling out 460 straight games.
Texier received a lengthy pass from Lane Hutson, moved into the left circle and fired a shot that deflected off Andrei Vasilevskiy’s glove before crossing the goal line for the 3-2 advantage early in the third period.
Montreal struck first three minutes into the contest when Gallagher converted a rebound after Vasilevskiy deflected Alex Newhook’s backhand attempt. The 14-year veteran had been a healthy scratch for the first four games and spent his time mentoring younger teammates.
Moments after James fired a slap shot past Dobes on a 2-on-1 rush, Montreal answered back. Dach carried the puck down the left wing, maneuvered around a defender, lost possession, then kicked the puck from his skate to his stick before scoring in front of the net.
Following online harassment over a defensive mistake that led to Tampa Bay’s overtime winner in Game 2, Dach deactivated his Instagram account. He responded with a goal and assist in Montreal’s 3-2 overtime victory the following game.
Guentzel unleashed a slap shot through Dobes’ legs on another 2-on-1 opportunity to level the score at 2 late in the second period. Among American-born players, Guentzel holds the NHL’s best playoff scoring rate with 43 goals across 79 postseason games.
Tampa Bay successfully killed a four-minute penalty after Ryan McDonagh received a double minor for high-sticking in the opening period. Montreal managed only one shot during the extended power play.
The Canadiens created superior scoring opportunities during two Tampa Bay power plays in the second period, with Vasilevskiy denying Jake Evans on a short-handed breakaway.
