Mika Zibanejad and Pavel Dorofeyev both scored early Thursday night to set the tone as the New York Rangers downed the Tampa Bay Lightning, 5-1. The Lightning failed to build momentum at Madison Square Garden as they struggled to find a rhythm.

The Tampa Bay Lightning had an active first day of free agency as the 2026-27 season got underway on Wednesday, right up until the clock struck midnight. The Bolts signed two forwards, one huge late-night signing in defenseman John Carlson, and a new backup goalie.

Alexandre Texier scored the game-winning goal early in the third period as the Montreal Canadiens upended the Tampa Bay Lightning Wednesday night, 3-2. Brendan Gallagher returned to the Habs lineup for the first time in the playoffs to score early in the game, and Kirby Dach added a goal in the second period. The win puts Montreal in control of the Eastern Conference First Round series with a 3-2 lead, and the teams head back north on Friday for Game 6.

What a difference a month can make. Entering the Olympic Break on February 5th, the Tampa Bay Lightning were riding an impressive streak of 19-1-1 in their last 21 games. Add in an impressive performance upon their return on March 4th against Toronto, and it seemed the break would not affect their level of play.