Glen Metropolit on Lightning vs Montreal series

The Tampa Bay Lightning and the Montreal Canadiens continue one of the most intense first-round matchups of the 2026 NHL Stanley Cup playoffs. This series is fast, physical, and emotional for many reasons. Now, it returns to Tampa for Game 5.

Before the trip to Montreal, former NHL forward Glen Metropolit broke down what the Lightning were about to face inside the legendary Bell Centre in Canada. Having played playoff hockey there for both the Boston Bruins and the Montreal Canadiens, Metropolit knows exactly how overwhelming that atmosphere can become.

He explained that once the crowd gets involved, communication on the ice becomes nearly impossible, forcing players to simplify everything and trust their instincts. In playoff hockey, any single detail can change the entire series’ outcome.

For the Tampa Bay Lightning, Glen Metropolit said success starts with discipline and direct hockey.

“Get the puck north, get it behind their D. They’ve just got to play a good 200-foot game… work them, and get some ugly goals.”

He pointed out that while stars like Nikita Kucherov can always create offense, playoff series are often won by third and fourth-line players who battle in corners, win puck races, and capitalize on rebounds. The former Canadiens’ center also touched on the growing hostility between the teams, saying the nastiness, fights, and post-whistle scrums are all part of what happens when rivals see each other night after night.

“Now it’s getting kind of nasty out there. But that is playoff hockey, too. It’s normal.”

What has stood out most to him, however, is the pace of the matchup.

“I like just the speed of it. It’s so fast. The skill, the speed… now you can see the grittiness, the physicality.”

Now the series heads back to Tampa with pressure rising, emotions building, and every shift becoming bigger than the last.

“It’s playoff hockey. It’s the best time of year.”

It’s textbook hockey: play simple, selfless, and fearless. And don’t forget to support the partners. 

Originally written for Tampa Bay Sports Journal.