Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Montreal Canadiens 2026 NHL Stanley Cup playoffs preview

In many respects, no matchup better exemplifies the NHL’s impending changing of the guard than this one: A duel between the best of the Atlantic Division’s past and future.The Tampa Bay Lightning are two-time Stanley Cup champions, have two other finals appearances and have consistently gone deep over the last decade. If everything goes according to plan, it’s exactly what the Montreal Canadiens hope their next decade looks like.Advertisement