Canadiens vs Lightning Game 4 Stats Breakdown & Game 5 Prediction

Canadiens vs Lightning Game 4 Stats Breakdown & Game 5 Prediction

Canadiens vs Lightning Game 5 Prediction — Full Series Breakdown, Play-by-Play & Game 5 Intelligence

Betweenplays Sports

The Montreal Canadiens vs The Tampa Bay Lightning

Games 1–4 complete series dashboard, penalty conversion, scoring chronology, overtime pressure, matchup analytics, and Game 5 tactical prediction board.

Betweenplays Sports · Series Intelligence Board

Canadiens vsLightning

A complete front-end visual stat sheet for Games 1–4 with scoring, penalties, special teams, matchup context, goaltending overview, and Game 5 prediction board.

Series tied 2–2 Games 1–3 went to OT Game 5: Tampa Bay Tampa tied it after trailing 2–0
Montreal Canadiens 2
Tampa Bay Lightning 2

Series through Game 4 · Game 5 in Tampa Bay

Series Snapshot

Four games complete: the first three went to overtime, Game 4 ended in regulation, and the series is tied 2–2 after Tampa Bay erased Montreal’s 2–0 lead.

Game 1 · April 19, 2026

Benchmark International Arena · Tampa

Final / OTMTL 4 · TBL 3
OT Winner: Juraj Slafkovsky MTL 3 power-play goals

Game 2 · April 21, 2026

Benchmark International Arena · Tampa

Final / OTTBL 3 · MTL 2
OT Winner: J.J. Moser Series tied 1–1

Game 3 · April 24, 2026

Bell Centre · Montreal

Final / OTMTL 3 · TBL 2
OT Winner: Lane Hutson MTL led series 2–1

Game 4 · April 26, 2026

Bell Centre · Montreal

FinalTBL 3 · MTL 2
Hagel: 2 goals Series tied 2–2

Games Played

4

Games 1–3 reached overtime. Game 4 ended in regulation.

MTL Goals

11

Montreal has scored 11 total goals through Game 4.

TBL Goals

11

Tampa Bay has scored 11 total goals through Game 4.

Goal Margin

0

The total-goal count is even through four games.

Series Control

2–2

Tampa Bay regained momentum by tying the series in Game 4.

Special Teams & Penalty Conversion

Series conversion based on power-play goals and power-play opportunities through Games 1–4.

Montreal Power Play

5 / 25

Montreal power-play goals on Tampa Bay penalty opportunities.

Efficiency: 20.0%

Montreal added one Game 4 power-play goal, but Tampa’s third-period power-play goal was the bigger momentum swing.

Tampa Bay Power Play

5 / 29

Tampa Bay power-play goals on Montreal penalty opportunities.

Efficiency: 17.2%

Tampa’s danger is not just conversion. In Game 4, one power-play goal changed the entire third-period structure.

Series Pattern

Montreal remains slightly ahead by percentage, but Game 4’s timing favoured Tampa.

Tampa Pressure

Tampa has created more total power-play opportunities through four games.

Overtime Factor

Games 1–3 required overtime. Game 4 was decided in regulation after Tampa’s comeback.

Game 5 Key

Montreal must protect leads better, reduce penalties, and convert its power-play looks.

Game 1 Play-by-Play

Scoring and penalties only. Facts listed by period and timestamp.

1st Period

MTL 1 · TBL 0
10:37
Penalty

TBLBench penalty — too many men on the ice

2 minutes. Served by Corey Perry.

13:24
Goal

MTLJosh Anderson scored

Assists: Alexandre Carrier, Mike Matheson. Montreal 1, Tampa Bay 0.

14:37
Penalty

MTLAlex Newhook — tripping

2 minutes.

17:37
Penalty

MTLJuraj Slafkovsky — interference

2 minutes.

19:47
Penalty

MTLBench penalty — high-sticking

8 minutes. Served by Alexandre Texier.

19:47
Penalty

TBLBrandon Hagel — interference

2 minutes.

2nd Period

MTL 2 · TBL 2
0:39
Penalty

TBLNikita Kucherov — high-sticking

2 minutes.

8:10
Penalty

MTLJosh Anderson — roughing

2 minutes.

8:10
Penalty

TBLYanni Gourde — roughing

2 minutes.

10:55
Penalty

MTLJosh Anderson — charging

2 minutes.

12:15
Goal

TBLDarren Raddysh scored — power play

Assists: Nikita Kucherov, Jake Guentzel. Montreal 1, Tampa Bay 1.

12:44
Goal

TBLBrandon Hagel scored

Assists: Jake Guentzel, Ryan McDonagh. Tampa Bay 2, Montreal 1.

18:32
Penalty

TBLConor Geekie — high-sticking

2 minutes.

19:36
Goal

MTLJuraj Slafkovsky scored — power play

Assists: Ivan Demidov, Cole Caufield. Montreal 2, Tampa Bay 2.

3rd + OT

MTL wins 4–3 OT
4:20
Penalty

TBLAnthony Cirelli — interference

2 minutes.

5:56
Goal

MTLJuraj Slafkovsky scored — power play

Assists: Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki. Montreal 3, Tampa Bay 2.

7:28
Penalty

MTLZack Bolduc — slashing

2 minutes.

8:58
Goal

TBLBrandon Hagel scored — power play

Assists: Jake Guentzel, Nikita Kucherov. Montreal 3, Tampa Bay 3.

19:39
Penalty

TBLJake Guentzel — high-sticking

2 minutes.

OT 1:22
OT Goal

MTLJuraj Slafkovsky scored — power play

Assists: Lane Hutson, Nick Suzuki. Final: Montreal 4, Tampa Bay 3.

Game 2 Play-by-Play

Scoring and penalties only. Facts listed by period and timestamp.

1st Period

MTL 1 · TBL 1
8:40
Goal

TBLBrandon Hagel scored

Assists: Jake Guentzel, Erik Cernak. Tampa Bay 1, Montreal 0.

10:11
Penalty

MTLBench penalty — roughing

8 minutes. Served by Alexandre Texier.

10:11
Penalty

TBLYanni Gourde — roughing

2 minutes.

14:20
Penalty Cluster

Multiple penalties to both teams

Montreal: Carrier roughing, Evans roughing, Anderson roughing, Dach roughing, Matheson high-sticking. Tampa Bay: Hagel roughing, Perry roughing, Raddysh roughing, Guentzel roughing, Kucherov interference.

16:11
Goal

MTLLane Hutson scored — power play

Assists: Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield. Montreal 1, Tampa Bay 1.

17:49
Penalty

TBLNick Paul — cross-checking

2 minutes.

20:00
Penalty

TBLYanni Gourde — roughing

2 minutes.

2nd Period

MTL 2 · TBL 1
0:00
Penalty

MTLArber Xhekaj — roughing

2 minutes.

5:14
Penalty

MTLJuraj Slafkovsky — fighting

5 minutes.

5:14
Penalty

TBLBrandon Hagel — fighting

5 minutes.

8:20
Penalty

MTLKaiden Guhle — hooking

2 minutes.

18:36
Goal

MTLJosh Anderson scored

Assists: Phillip Danault, Jake Evans. Montreal 2, Tampa Bay 1.

19:19
Penalty

TBLRyan McDonagh — roughing

2 minutes.

3rd + OT

TBL wins 3–2 OT
6:30
Penalty

MTLIvan Demidov — tripping

2 minutes.

12:33
Goal

TBLNikita Kucherov scored

Assists: Anthony Cirelli, Brandon Hagel. Montreal 2, Tampa Bay 2.

17:45
Penalty

TBLScott Sabourin — interference

2 minutes.

OT 12:48
OT Goal

TBLJ.J. Moser scored

Assist: Anthony Cirelli. Final: Tampa Bay 3, Montreal 2.

Game 3 Play-by-Play

Scoring and penalties only. Facts listed by period and timestamp.

1st Period

MTL 1 · TBL 1
4:53
Goal

MTLAlexandre Texier scored

Assists: Zack Bolduc, Kirby Dach. Montreal 1, Tampa Bay 0.

6:06
Penalty

MTLBench penalty — tripping

2 minutes. Served by Ivan Demidov.

7:42
Goal

TBLBrayden Point scored — power play

Assists: Jake Guentzel, Nikita Kucherov. Montreal 1, Tampa Bay 1.

8:12
Penalty

MTLKirby Dach — tripping

2 minutes.

12:23
Penalty

TBLNikita Kucherov — tripping

2 minutes.

19:11
Penalty

MTLMike Matheson — hooking

2 minutes.

2nd Period

MTL 2 · TBL 2
4:47
Goal

TBLBrandon Hagel scored

Unassisted. Tampa Bay 2, Montreal 1.

4:47
Penalty

MTLBench penalty — roughing

2 minutes. Served by Jake Evans.

4:47
Penalty

TBLErik Cernak — roughing

2 minutes.

9:59
Penalty

MTLIvan Demidov — high-sticking

2 minutes.

12:43
Goal

MTLKirby Dach scored

Assist: Arber Xhekaj. Montreal 2, Tampa Bay 2.

14:05
Penalty

TBLBrandon Hagel — holding the stick

2 minutes.

16:14
Penalty

TBLEmil Martinsen Lilleberg — hooking

2 minutes.

19:29
Penalty

TBLDarren Raddysh — high-sticking

2 minutes.

3rd + OT

MTL wins 3–2 OT
8:50
Penalty

MTLJosh Anderson — high-sticking

2 minutes.

16:02
Penalty

MTLArber Xhekaj — roughing

2 minutes.

16:02
Penalty

MTLPhillip Danault — roughing

2 minutes.

16:02
Penalty

TBLEmil Martinsen Lilleberg — roughing

2 minutes.

16:02
Penalty

TBLZemgus Girgensons — roughing

2 minutes.

OT 2:09
OT Goal

MTLLane Hutson scored

Assists: Alexandre Texier, Zack Bolduc. Final: Montreal 3, Tampa Bay 2.

Series Analytics Board

Condensed interpretation from Games 1–3: who scored, who converted, where the series turned, and what matters entering Game 5.

Montreal Scoring Profile

Player / GroupSeries Impact
Juraj SlafkovskyGame 1 hat trick, including overtime power-play winner.
Lane HutsonGame 2 power-play goal and Game 3 overtime winner.
Dach / Texier / BolducDirectly tied to Game 3 scoring and overtime setup.
Josh AndersonEven-strength scoring in Games 1 and 2.

Tampa Bay Scoring Profile

Player / GroupSeries Impact
Brandon HagelMultiple goals and direct scoring pressure across Games 1–3.
Kucherov / GuentzelPrimary drivers in Tampa’s power-play and top-line pressure.
Brayden PointGame 3 power-play goal at 7:42.
J.J. MoserGame 2 overtime winner.

Series Turning Pattern

Montreal’s danger zone: penalties and passive lead protection that allow Tampa to take structure.
Montreal’s advantage: scoring has come from multiple layers, not only one line.
Tampa’s advantage: top-end finishing, power-play timing, and a major Game 4 momentum swing.

Game 3 Swing Chain

6:06

Montreal penalty begins the sequence.

7:42 TBL PPG8:12 MTL penalty

Game 3 Correction

12:43

Kirby Dach ties the game after Montreal’s earlier penalty trouble.

Missed MTL Window

3

Tampa penalties at 14:05, 16:14, and 19:29 in Game 3. Montreal did not convert.

Decisive Moment

2:09

Lane Hutson ends Game 3 in overtime.

Game 4 Final Stat Board

Tampa Bay erased Montreal’s 2–0 lead and tied the series 2–2 with a 3–2 comeback win at Bell Centre.

Final Score

TBL 3

Lightning defeat Montreal 3–2.

Series Status

2–2

The first-round series is tied heading to Game 5.

Shot Count

20–18

Tampa Bay outshot Montreal by two.

Faceoffs Won

37–20

Montreal dominated the faceoff circle.

Hits

50–28

Montreal carried the physical edge.

Blocked Shots

15–13

Tampa Bay blocked slightly more shots.

Takeaways

8–5

Montreal led the takeaway count.

Giveaways

14–4

Tampa gave the puck away more often.

Game 4 Scoring Timeline

Period / TimeTeamScoring Play
2nd · 10:06MTLZachary Bolduc. Assists: Kaiden Guhle, Alexandre Texier. Montreal 1–0.
2nd · 13:29MTLCole Caufield — power play. Assists: Nick Suzuki, Lane Hutson. Montreal 2–0.
2nd · 19:06TBLJake Guentzel. Assists: J.J. Moser, Darren Raddysh. Montreal 2–1.
3rd · 1:40TBLBrandon Hagel — power play. Assists: Nikita Kucherov, Jake Guentzel. Tied 2–2.
3rd · 15:07TBLBrandon Hagel. Assists: Nikita Kucherov, J.J. Moser. Tampa Bay 3–2.
The key swing was Guentzel’s late second-period goal followed by Hagel’s early third-period power-play equalizer.

Game 4 Team Stats

CategoryTampa BayMontreal
Shots2018
Hits2850
Faceoffs Won2037
Faceoff Win %35.1%64.9%
Power Play1 / 71 / 6
Power Play %14.3%16.7%
Total Penalties89
Penalty Minutes1618
Blocked Shots1513
Takeaways58
Giveaways144

Game 4 Penalty Board

Both teams took repeated minors. Montreal had more penalty minutes, while both clubs scored once on the power play.

1st Period Penalties

TimeTeamPenalty
2:04MTLBench minor — too many men, served by Juraj Slafkovsky.
7:22TBLMaxwell Crozier — high-sticking.
9:10TBLYanni Gourde — cross-checking.

2nd Period Penalties

TimeTeamPenalty
0:41MTLJosh Anderson — boarding, served by Alexandre Texier.
10:24MTLAlex Newhook — hooking.
12:24TBLJake Guentzel — slashing.
13:48MTLArber Xhekaj — roughing.
13:48MTLKirby Dach — roughing.
13:48TBLNick Paul — roughing.
13:48TBLZemgus Girgensons — roughing.
13:58TBLDarren Raddysh — delay of game.
18:05MTLMike Matheson — slashing.
18:33TBLBrandon Hagel — slashing.

3rd Period Penalties

TimeTeamPenalty
0:51MTLOliver Kapanen — high-sticking.
10:44MTLMike Matheson — high-sticking.
11:33MTLJake Evans — cross-checking.
17:27TBLNikita Kucherov — slashing.
Kapanen’s early third-period penalty directly preceded Hagel’s power-play tying goal.

Goaltending Board

Updated through Game 4. Dobes and Vasilevskiy have played every game of the series.

Jakub Dobes · Montreal

2–2

Series record through Game 4.

83Total saves
11Goals against
.883Save percentage
2.70Estimated GAA
GameResultSaves / Goals Against
Game 1Win · MTL 4–3 OT20 saves / 3 goals against
Game 2Loss · TBL 3–2 OT31 saves / 3 goals against
Game 3Win · MTL 3–2 OT15 saves / 2 goals against
Game 4Loss · TBL 3–217 saves / 3 goals against
Dobes allowed 3 goals on 20 shots in Game 4. The series save-percentage edge has shifted away from Montreal.

Andrei Vasilevskiy · Tampa Bay

2–2

Series record through Game 4.

82Total saves
11Goals against
.882Save percentage
2.70Estimated GAA
GameResultSaves / Goals Against
Game 1Loss · MTL 4–3 OT15 saves / 4 goals against
Game 2Win · TBL 3–2 OT25 saves / 2 goals against
Game 3Loss · MTL 3–2 OT26 saves / 3 goals against
Game 4Win · TBL 3–216 saves / 2 goals against
Vasilevskiy stabilized Tampa after Montreal’s 2–0 lead and finished Game 4 at .889.

Game 5 Prediction Board

The series shifts to Tampa tied 2–2. Tampa owns the momentum; Montreal owns the faceoff and physical-contact edge but must fix lead protection.

Momentum

TBL

Tampa Bay has the psychological edge after scoring three unanswered in Game 4.

Montreal cannot play Game 5 like a team protecting something. They need pressure after scoring, not retreat.

Prediction Range

58–62%

Estimated Tampa Bay win probability based on home ice, Game 4 momentum, and special-teams timing.

Montreal range: 38–42%

Projected Score

4–2

Prediction: Tampa Bay wins Game 5 unless Montreal converts early power-play pressure and keeps Tampa under three goals.

Montreal Path to Game 5

AreaRequired Adjustment
Lead ProtectionKeep attacking after scoring first. The Game 4 collapse started when Tampa was allowed to build clean pressure.
Power PlayMontreal is 5-for-25 in the series. A Game 5 win likely requires at least one power-play goal.
DisciplineReduce Tampa’s power-play chances. Tampa has had 29 opportunities through four games.
GoaltendingDobes needs a bounce-back game closer to .900 or better.
FaceoffsMontreal dominated Game 4 draws 37–20. They must turn that puck control into more than 18 shots.

Tampa Bay Path to Game 5

AreaExpected Strategy
ForecheckPressure Montreal’s breakout and force rushed exits.
Top-Line PressureKucherov, Guentzel, Hagel, and Moser drove the Game 4 comeback.
Special TeamsKeep forcing Montreal into penalty sequences. One third-period power-play goal changed Game 4.
Game StateIf trailing early, remain patient. Game 4 proved Montreal’s lead protection can crack.
GoaltendingVasilevskiy only needs clean sightlines if Montreal remains low volume.

Series Swing Timeline

The core moments that frame Game 5.

Game 1

OT

Slafkovsky completes the power-play hat trick and Montreal steals Game 1 in Tampa.

Game 2

OT

Moser wins it for Tampa Bay and ties the series 1–1.

Game 3

OT

Hutson scores at 2:09 of overtime. Montreal takes a 2–1 series lead.

Game 4

3–2

Hagel scores twice in the third. Tampa erases a 2–0 deficit and ties the series 2–2.

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Albert Laurin
Albert Laurin

Albert Laurin is the founder of Betweenplays Media, an independent capital-markets intelligence and media platform established in March 2020. As lead author and host, he produces long-form analysis and conducts direct, unscripted executive conversations across markets, technology, real estate, and geopolitics.

Laurin’s background spans accounting, management, marketing, and policing. He trained in Police Technology at John Abbott College, where he was recognized for academic performance and leadership, and was subsequently selected for the Quebec National Police Academy in Nicolet. There, he was nominated across all three categories of excellence—an uncommon distinction—while also drawing early recruitment interest from supervising officers.

Shaped by years of personal experience, mentorship, and disciplined training, Laurin’s approach combines analytical structure with a grounded understanding of how incentives, pressures, and human behavior often shape outcomes in both markets and public life.

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