A highly physical playoff battle saw the Tampa Bay Lightning defeat the Montreal Canadiens 3-2 in Game 4, leveling their first-round NHL playoff series. Played at the Bell Centre, the match lived up to the intensity expected in postseason hockey, with both teams combining for a staggering 78 hits in a bruising contest.
Montreal started strong, building a 2-0 lead and appearing in control of the game. However, momentum shifted late in the second period after a heavy hit by Tampa defenceman Max Crozier on Canadiens forward Juraj Slafkovsky. The collision energized the Lightning, who quickly capitalized. Jake Guentzel scored just before the end of the second period, reducing the deficit and setting the stage for a comeback.
Early in the third period, Brandon Hagel tied the game on a power play. Hagel later scored again with under five minutes remaining, sealing the victory for Tampa Bay. His performance has been standout in the series, contributing a significant portion of the team’s total goals so far.
Despite strong efforts from Montreal, including an early goal from Zachary Bolduc—his first in the playoffs—the team once again failed to protect a lead. This marks multiple games in the series where the Canadiens have let advantages slip, a trend that could prove costly as the series progresses.
The game was not only intense in scoring but also filled with physical confrontations, penalties, and controversial moments. Tampa’s Nikita Kucherov drew attention for dramatic reactions to contact that led to key penalties against Montreal, further influencing the flow of the game.
With the series now tied, the matchup effectively becomes a best-of-three contest. Both teams, who finished the regular season with identical records, have shown how evenly matched they are, with every game decided by a single goal so far.
As the series shifts forward, the Canadiens face pressure to secure a win on the road, while the Lightning carry renewed confidence after their comeback victory. The battle for advancement continues, with momentum now swinging in Tampa Bay’s favor.
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