Montreal Canadiens vs. Tampa Bay Lightning - NHL Game Preview - March 31, 2026 - CBS Sports

Montreal

Tue Mar 31

11:00PM

Tampa Bay

Expert Picks

Expert Picks

Tweets

	1	2	3	T
Montreal MON--	-	-	-
Tampa Bay TB--	-	-	-

Benchmark International ArenaTampa, FL

Canadiens	3.14 GF AVG	3.24 GA AVG	25.80 Power Play
Lightning	3.23 GF AVG	2.59 GA AVG	18.10 Power Play

PLAYERS	INJURY	EXPECTED RETURN
Phillip Danault (C)	Illness	12-22-2025Day-to-Day
Patrik Laine (RW)	Abdomen	02-27-2026Expected to be out until at least Feb 28
Sam Montembeault (G)	Not Injury Related	12-27-2025Expected to be out until at least Dec 28
Jake Evans (C)	Lower Body	12-27-2025Expected to be out until at least Dec 28
Kirby Dach (C)	Foot	01-03-2026Expected to be out until at least Jan 4
Kaiden Guhle (D)	Groin	01-07-2026Expected to be out until at least Jan 8
Alex Newhook (C)	Ankle	03-16-2026Expected to be out until at least Mar 17

PLAYERS	INJURY	EXPECTED RETURN
Victor Hedman (D)	Elbow	01-31-2026Expected to be out until at least Feb 1
Erik Cernak (D)	Undisclosed	12-30-2025Expected to be out until at least Dec 31
Brandon Hagel (LW)	Upper Body	12-26-2025Expected to be out until at least Dec 27
Emil Martinsen Lilleberg (D)	Undisclosed	01-19-2026Expected to be out until at least Jan 20

All times are US/Eastern.

Around the Web Promoted by Taboola

default-cbs-image

Live