Gallagher Sparks Canadiens Past Lightning in 3-2 Canadien Tampa Win

Brendan Gallagher turned his return into a fast start for canadien tampa, scoring three minutes into Game 5 and helping the Montreal Canadiens beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-2 on Wednesday night. The goal pushed Montreal into a 3-2 lead in the best-of-7 Eastern Conference First Round series.

Gallagher Opens the Scoring

Gallagher had been a healthy scratch through the first four games, but he rejoined the Canadiens lineup at Benchmark International Arena and made the first shift count. He finished off a rebound from Alex Newhook's in-tight attempt to give Montreal a 1-0 lead.

Montreal never trailed. That gave the Canadiens the exact cushion they needed in a game that stayed tight at 19,092 fans and ended with a one-goal margin.

St. Louis Trusted Gallagher

Martin St. Louis said, “I’m really happy how he handled things,” and added, “And not surprised how he did tonight.” Gallagher, 33, has spent his entire 14-year career in Montreal, and the response fit a player asked to step back in after sitting four straight games.

St. Louis also said, “I was happy that he was able to give us an early lead, you know,” and pointed to the area where Gallagher finished the play: “And you know where he’s going to go. He's going to go right to the area where he scored that goal. That’s where he’s going to go.”

Montreal Takes 3-2 Lead

The coach said the goal arrived at the right moment in the series: “And I think it came at a time in the series where I think we needed a little more of that.” Montreal now holds the edge after five games, with the next result carrying the season’s pressure to Tampa Bay.

For the Canadiens, Gallagher’s first game back delivered more than a feel-good moment. It gave them the opening goal, the win, and the 3-2 series lead they were chasing in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs.