The best two words in sports come to Tampa Bay: Game 7. The Lightning forced a winner-take-all game tonight in their first-round NHL playoff series against the Montreal Canadiens, and now get to host the showdown that will determine who takes one step closer to the Stanley Cup.
Tampa’s Gage Goncalves pushed home the only goal of Game 6 in Montreal after 9 minutes of overtime, sealing goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy’s 30-save shutout. Bonus hockey has been a regular feature of this tight series: The first three games all saw in OT period, and each game in the series have been decided by a single goal.
The Lightning are looking to advance in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2022, when they lost in the final after two straight championships. Nikita Kucherov had been as productive as ever with a goal and five assists in the series, while Brandon Hagel is tied with Minnesota’s Matt Boldy for the playoff lead with six goals. Montreal has gotten strong production from netminder Jakub Dobes, while captain Kurt Suzuki hopes to continue the Habs’ most successful season in over a decade and win Canada’s first Stanley Cup since 1993.
Watch Lightning vs. Canadiens Game 7 on Sling
The Canadiens are also looking to avenge the peculiar 2021 Stanley Cup Final loss to the Lightning. Whoever wins tonight gets the feel-good story of the year, the Buffalo Sabres, in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Here’s what to know about tonight’s game, including how to watch on TV and streaming:
What channel is Lightning vs Canadiens on today?
Game 7 between the Lightning and Canadiens will be broadcast on TNT and truTV. Streaming options include Sling, which offers a one-day pass for $4.99.
Lightning vs Canadiens start time
The puck is scheduled to drop for Lightning-Canadiens Game 7 at 6 p.m. Sunday, May 3 from Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida.
Lightning tickets for Game 7 vs Canadiens
As of Saturday afternoon, May 2, tickets for Game 7 between Tampa Bay and Montreal were available for $277 on StubHub. Seats in the lower bowl were available for $502.
Shop for Lightning-Canadiens tickets on StubHub
Lightning-Canadiens schedule
NHL playoff bracket
Bracket last updated noon May 2.
Eastern Conference
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Western Conference
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Stanley Cup Playoffs 2026 schedule
Here’s a look at today’s NHL playoff schedule. All times Eastern.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: What channel is Lightning-Canadiens on today? Game 7 time, TV schedule
Reporting by Dan Rorabaugh, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
