Lane Hutson wins Game 3 in overtime giving the Habs a 2-1 series lead

“It was unbelievable,” said one fan after the Montreal Canadiens defeated the Lightning in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, taking a 2–1 series lead. Adriana Gentile reports.

By News Staff

Posted April 24, 2026 9:58 pm.

Last Updated April 25, 2026 12:10 am.

The Montreal Canadiens have taken a 2–1 series lead thanks to a howitzer in overtime from Lane Hutson.

The Canadiens and Lightning were level through 60 minutes for the third consecutive time to start their series, marking the first time since 1951 that Montreal has opened a best-of-seven series with each of the first three games going to overtime.

Canadiens are playing OT in each of the first 3 games of a best-of-7 series for the first time since the 1951 Stanley Cup Final#GoHabsGo
— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) April 25, 2026

Game 3 didn’t last long in OT, as the Habs applied early pressure. As the zone play developed, Alexandre Texier sent the puck back to the blueline, where Hutson blasted a slapshot past Andrei Vasilevskiy for his second goal of the series and the winner.

HUTSON IS THE GAME 3 HERO ‼️

Lane Hutson fires home the Subway Canada OT winner for the Canadiens in Game 3! pic.twitter.com/RD5wyKxyQf
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 25, 2026

The goal sent the city into chaos.

“Very excited. It is unbelievable here. It is electric. Let’s go, baby,” one fan said at the watch party.

“Honestly, it was a really gutsy win. They had to grind really, really hard for it. It didn’t come easy. They kept coming at us, but in the end, we just had to keep surviving,” he added.

Fast start sets the tone

Montreal came out flying. Alexandre Texier opened the scoring just before the five-minute mark on a half-slapper past Vasilevskiy, finishing a backhand feed from Zachary Bolduc.

Brayden Point tied it just under three minutes later on the power play for Tampa Bay.

“It was amazing. The atmosphere… no one can compare to this. We are the city of hockey,” one fan said.

*The Bell Centre glows in blue and red lights on April 24, 2026, as fans gather outside to celebrate a playoff win in downtown Montreal. (Adriana Gentile, CityNews)*

Momentum swings and physical battle

Brandon Hagel gave Tampa the lead in the second with a low wrist shot past Jakub Dobeš.

Following the goal, Dobeš and Erik Cernak received unsportsmanlike conduct penalties after a heated exchange.

Kirby Dach tied it later in the period, wristing a shot through traffic past Vasilevskiy as the Bell Centre erupted into chants of “Kir-by! Kir-by!”

“Kirby Dach redemption game. Best game we’ve seen all season. Let’s go Kirby!” one fan said.

Missed chances and late drama

Montreal failed to capitalize on three straight Lightning penalties in the second half of the game, finishing 0-for-4 on the power play.

Cole Caufield later broke in alone but fanned on a breakaway attempt, while Josh Anderson was stopped on a short-handed chance out of the penalty box.

Overtime heroics and city celebration

Hutson ended it early in overtime, sending the Bell Centre into chaos and sparking celebrations across Montreal.

“I’m so happy… The vibe is incredible. Best team in the NHL,” one fan said.

“Habs in five,” another added.

“It was unbelievable,” said another.

Montreal Canadiens’ Lane Hutson (48) celebrates with teammate Kaiden Kuhle (21) after scoring against the Tampa Bay Lightning during overtime period NHL playoff hockey action in Montreal, Friday, April 24, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

A city fully engaged

Before puck drop, Canadiens legend Ivan Cournoyer carried a torch into the stands as flames shot near the rafters.

The 21,000 fans inside the building — with a flurry of white towels rippling through the seats — then belted chants of “Go Habs Go!” and “Olé, Olé!” to drown out public address announcer Michel Lacroix and delay the national anthems.

Montreal Canadiens fans cheer on their team as they take to the ice ahead of their NHL playoff hockey game against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Montreal, Friday, April 24, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

Thousands filled the streets outside the arena, turning downtown Montreal into a celebration zone.

“It’s a crazy experience. Habs for life,” one fan said.

Montreal Canadiens fans celebrate a goal during Game 3 vs. the Tampa Bay Lightning on April 24, 2026, outside the Bell Centre as playoff excitement fills the streets of downtown Montreal. (Adriana Gentile, CityNews)

Coach St. Louis on the atmosphere

“I walk in this morning, get a coffee, and there’s, I don’t know, 20-30 porta-potties outside,” Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis said following the team’s morning skate. “I mean, this place is ready to erupt.”

The fervour stretched 40 kilometres south to Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que., where fans have cheered on the Habs from church pews at Cathédrale Saint-Jean-l’Évangéliste, and across a province that treats the Canadiens as a cultural institution.

And it was a perfect start Friday until the Lightning pushed back.

Both teams combined for 30 penalty minutes.

Dobeš would pick up his second win of the playoffs, saving 15 of the 17 shots, while also picking up two penalty minutes. Vasilevskiy would end up saving 26 of the 29 shots he faced in the overtime loss.

Game 4 is Sunday at the Bell Centre.

-With files from the Canadian Press