How to live stream Canadiens vs Lightning: NHL Playoffs, TV channel

The Montreal Canadiens and Tampa Bay Lightning open Game 1 of their first-round Stanley Cup Playoff series Sunday in Tampa, in one of the most evenly matched series in the Eastern Conference.

MORE: 5 first-round bold predictions for the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs

How to Watch Canadiens vs Lightning

• When: Sunday, April 19, 2026
• Time: 5:45 PM ET
• TV Channel: TNT / truTV
• Live Stream: DIRECTV (try for free)

Game 1 is officially set for Sunday, April 19, at 5:45 p.m. ET in Tampa, with national coverage on TNT, as the Lightning host at the Amalie Arena.

Both teams finished the regular season with 106 points, but Tampa Bay (50-26-6) earned the No. 2 seed and home-ice advantage over Montreal (48-24-10) via the regulation-wins tiebreaker (40–34). This matchup was not finalized until the final days of the regular season, underscoring just how tight the Atlantic Division race was.

– Live Stream Canadiens vs Lightning with DIRECTV –

This series is about as even as it gets. Montreal actually held a slight edge in the season series at 2-1-1, including two April wins by a combined 6–2 score, while Tampa Bay went 2-2-0 against the Canadiens. The star power is obvious on both sides. Nick Suzuki (101 points) and (51 goals) lead Montreal, while (130 points) headlines Tampa Bay’s offense alongside elite goaltender .