Lightning rally to beat Canadiens 3-2 in Game 4, even series: Takeaways

David Kirouac-Imagn Images The Tampa Bay Lightning passed a gut check Sunday night, rallying from two goals down to defeat the Montreal Canadiens 3-2 at Bell Centre and even their Eastern Conference First Round series at two wins apiece. Brandon Hagel’s second goal of the game with 4:53 remaining in regulation capped the comeback. Hagel was battling for position in front of Montreal goaltender Jakub Dobes when Nikita Kucherov flung the puck at the net from the right boards near the top of the circle.

The shot hit him and deflected into the net to give the Lightning their first lead of the night. WHO ELSE?! 🤯 Brandon Hagel's sixth goal of the series gives the @TBLightning the lead in the third!

#StanleyCup 🇺🇸: @espn 🇨🇦: @Sportsnet & @TVASports pic. twitter. com/dYnqGcCeMb — NHL (@NHL) April 27, 2026 Hagel had tied the game 2-2 at 1:40 of the third period, winning inside position in front of the net and converting a cross-crease pass from Kucherov for a power-play goal.

Jake Guentzel’s goal in the final minute of the second period got Tampa Bay on the board after Montreal grabbed a 2-0 lead on goals by Zachary Bolduc and Cole Caufield. Andrei Vasilevskiy made 16 saves for his 69th career playoff victory. Dobes stopped 17 shots.