The Montreal Canadiens took a 3-2 lead in their first-round playoff series against the Tampa Bay Lightning with a 3-2 victory in Tampa on Thursday night. Alexandre Texier scored early in the third period to break a 2-2 tie, while rookie goaltender Jakub Dobes made 38 saves to keep Montreal within one win of advancing past the opening round for the first time since they fell to Tampa Bay in the 2021 Stanley Cup Finals.

Brendan Gallagher, who had been a healthy scratch for the first four games of the series, opened the scoring for Montreal just three minutes into the game, converting a rebound off a save by Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy. Kirby Dach also scored for the Canadiens, responding quickly after Tampa Bay’s Dominic James tied the game. Jake Guentzel added a late second-period goal for the Lightning.

“It’s obviously exciting,” Gallagher said. “It’s been a fun series to watch. I tried to follow their lead and find a way to contribute, and I did that.” The 14-year veteran had spent the earlier games offering guidance to Montreal’s younger players.

Texier’s winning goal came 1:06 into the third period when he received a long pass from Lane Hutson, maneuvered into the left circle, and fired a shot that deflected off Vasilevskiy’s glove into the net. “I’m not a 50-goal scorer,” said Texier. “When I have a chance, I just try to put it on net and sometimes you’re lucky it’s in.”

The Lightning, aiming to avoid elimination for the fourth consecutive season in the first round, have struggled at home in recent postseasons, losing 10 of their last 12 playoff games at Amalie Arena despite a streak of 460 consecutive sellouts. Forward Brayden Point emphasized the urgency, stating, “We got no choice now. We got to show up or we’re out.”

Montreal’s Kirby Dach bounced back after criticism following a defensive error in Game 2 that led to an overtime loss. Dach’s second-period goal gave the Canadiens their second lead of the game. He later deactivated his Instagram account amid online criticism but also contributed an assist during Montreal’s subsequent overtime victory.

The Lightning were successful in killing off a lengthy four-minute penalty in the first period, with Dobes and the Canadiens managing only a single shot on net during the power play. Tampa Bay created opportunities on two power plays in the second period, including a shorthanded breakaway by Jake Evans that Vasilevskiy stopped.

The series now shifts back to Montreal for Game 6 on Friday night, with the teams having split the two games played at Bell Centre. All five contests thus far have been decided by one goal, three of which extended into overtime. The Canadiens will attempt to close out the series on home ice, while the Lightning seek to force a decisive Game 7.