NHL · Season 2025
Alexandre Texier's third-period goal lifted Montreal to a 3-2 win in Tampa, putting the Canadiens up 3-2 in the Eastern Conference First Round. Jakub Dobeš made 38 saves.
Match Videos
Player Ratings
1.0 – 10.0Jakub Dobeš
38 saves on 40 shots, including 17 in the third period, holding off a desperate late Tampa push.
Alexandre Texier
Scored the eventual game-winner in the third period from a Lane Hutson and Nick Suzuki setup.
Kirby Dach
Tying goal in the 28th minute (Bolduc, Guhle) — kept Montreal level after Tampa's two-goal burst.
Brandon James
Gave Tampa a 2-1 lead in the 27th minute (Goncalves, Gourde), but the goal proved insufficient.
Match Analysis
AI SummaryTexier's Third-Period Strike Sends Canadiens to Brink of Series Win
The Montreal Canadiens moved within one win of advancing to the Eastern Conference Semifinals with a 3-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena. Alexandre Texier's goal early in the third period proved decisive in a tight, defensive playoff battle decided by Jakub Dobeš's 38 saves.
Tampa Bay Lightning – Montreal Canadiens 2:3 (0-1, 2-1, 0-1) Tampa: Guentzel 18:00; James (Goncalves, Gourde) 27:00. Montreal: Gallagher (Newhook) 4:00; Dach (Bolduc, Guhle) 28:00; Texier (Hutson, Suzuki) 42:00. Goalies: Vasilevskiy — Dobeš (38 saves on 40). Series: Montreal leads 3-2.
Gallagher Opens, Tampa Surges Back
Brendan Gallagher gave the Canadiens a 1-0 lead just four minutes in, finishing a Newhook setup against Andrei Vasilevskiy. Tampa Bay's response came in the second period — Jake Guentzel struck at 18:00 and Brandon James added a second nine minutes later, fed by Sam Goncalves and Yanni Gourde, to put the Lightning ahead 2-1.
Dach Levels It, Texier Wins It
Kirby Dach pulled Montreal back level at 28:00 with assists from Bolduc and Mike Matheson, sending the teams to the room tied 2-2. The third period belonged to the visitors. Alexandre Texier finished a precise feed from Lane Hutson and Nick Suzuki at 42:00 to put Montreal Canadiens ahead 3-2.
Dobeš Slams the Door
Tampa pushed for the equaliser through the final 18 minutes, generating 17 third-period shots. Jakub Dobeš, the Czech rookie who has emerged as Montreal's playoff revelation, stopped every one of them. His 38-of-40 performance turned a tight game into a series-defining win.
What It Means
The Canadiens lead the best-of-seven series 3-2 and head home to the Bell Centre for Game 6 with the chance to advance. Tampa Bay, eliminated last year in the second round, faces a single-elimination scenario for the second straight night and must win in Montreal to force a deciding Game 7 back at Amalie Arena.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of Tampa Bay vs Montreal Game 5?
Montreal Canadiens defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-2 (0-1, 2-1, 0-1) at Amalie Arena.
Who scored the game-winner?
Alexandre Texier scored the third-period winner at 42:00, assisted by Lane Hutson and Nick Suzuki.
Who scored for Montreal?
Brendan Gallagher (4', Newhook), Kirby Dach (28', Bolduc, Guhle), and Alexandre Texier (42', Hutson, Suzuki).
Who scored for Tampa Bay?
Jake Guentzel in the 18th minute and Brandon James in the 27th (Goncalves, Gourde).
What is the series score after Game 5?
Montreal leads the best-of-seven Eastern Conference First Round series 3-2 and can clinch in Game 6 in Montreal.
When is Game 6?
Game 6 is on Friday, May 1, 2026 at the Bell Centre in Montreal. Tampa Bay faces elimination.
Match Summary
Montreal Canadiens defeated Tampa Bay Lightning 3:2. The match was played in NHL 2025. Score by period: P1: 0–1, P2: 2–1, P3: 0–1.
Match Context
Stanley Cup Playoffs — Eastern Conference First Round, Game 5
Game 5 of the Eastern Conference First Round in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, with the best-of-seven series tied 2-2 entering the night at Amalie Arena.
Pre-Match Analysis
Tampa Bay Lightning Form
Lightning held home-ice advantage through Game 5; the series had been split with no team winning two in a row.
Montreal Canadiens Form
Canadiens won Games 2 and 4 in tightly contested defensive battles, leaning on goaltender Jakub Dobeš.
Head to Head
Series tied 2-2 entering Game 5; Slovak forward Juraj Slafkovský and Czech goalie Jakub Dobeš have been key for Montreal.
Match Report
Brendan Gallagher opened the scoring in the 4th minute (Newhook), Tampa answered through Jake Guentzel in the 18th and Brandon James in the 27th to take a 2-1 lead. Kirby Dach equalised in the 28th (Bolduc, Guhle), and Alexandre Texier's third-period strike at 42:00 (Hutson, Suzuki) gave Montreal the 3-2 lead they would not relinquish. Jakub Dobeš stopped 38 of 40 shots, including 17 in the third period, to seal the win.
Turning Point
Texier's goal at 42:00 of the third period. Tampa had momentum after Dach's tying goal in the second, but Texier's quick strike on a feed from Lane Hutson and Nick Suzuki shifted the game decisively.
Montreal leads the best-of-seven series 3-2 and returns home for Game 6, where they can clinch a second-round berth. Tampa Bay faces elimination.
Tampa Bay Lightning vs Montreal Canadiens Head to Head Results
50 stretnutíRecent Meetings
API data: 14 May 2026