Canadiens Highlights: Slafkovsky The Hat Trick Hero Wins Game
Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images The Montreal Canadiens were in Florida on Sunday, facing the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game One of their first-round series. Juraj Slafkovsky played the hero role for the Habs, scoring three goals to secure a 4-3 win, and a 1-0 series lead. Let’s dive into the highlights!
Veteran Presence Even though the Canadiens have the youngest team in the league, it was a veteran who got the ball rolling. 31-year-old Josh Anderson scored after defenceman Alexandre Carrier did a great job on the forecheck to force the turnover. Josh Anderson makes it 1-0 for the #GoHabsGo !
Great work by Alexandre Carrier on the forecheck. pic. twitter.
com/fawCq7DZE9 — Montreal Hockey Now (@MTLhockeynow) April 19, 2026 To add to the Anderson praise, he was one of the few players who started the game with a lot of energy, and continuously offered an honest effort every shift. The referees are reviewing this hit by Josh Anderson on Charle-Edouard D'Astous. #GoHabsGo pic.
twitter. com/5M9UbxK2jD — Montreal Hockey Now (@MTLhockeynow) April 19, 2026 Losing Focus It appeared that the Canadiens had taken a 2-0 lead, but Anderson’s second goal of the game was denied after it was discovered he tipped the shot with a high stick. This led to the momentum flowing to Tampa Bay’s corner, with the home team quickly establishing a 2-1 lead via goals by Darren Raddysh and Brandon Hagel in less than a minute during the second period.