The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-2 in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Final on April 30, 2026, at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. The win gives Montreal a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series.
Veteran forward Corey Perry scored the opening goal on the first shot of his first shift of the series, just 1:23 into the first period. Perry, 40, is the oldest player on the Canadiens roster. The goal was his fourth of the playoffs.
Young players stepped up for Montreal. Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield each recorded a goal and an assist. Suzuki's goal at 14:22 of the second period proved to be the game-winner. Goaltender Jake Allen made 28 saves for the Canadiens.
The Lightning's goals came from Steven Stamkos and Brayden Point. Andrei Vasilevskiy stopped 24 of 27 shots for Tampa Bay. Game 6 is scheduled for May 2 in Montreal.
