Expert recap and game analysis of the Buffalo Sabres vs. Tampa Bay Lightning NHL game from April 6, 2026 on ESPN.

The Tampa Bay Lightning have gone cold, showcased by their two-game losing streak during their final road-trip of the 2025/26 regular season. The Lightning have

The Montreal Canadiens will take on the Tampa Bay Lightning at the Bell Centre on Thursday night in a game with huge implications in the standings.

A Corey Perry pass attempt atop the left faceoff circle bounced off an Ottawa skate and bounced to an open Paul at the netfront, where the Lightning forward deked to his backhand and sent the puck off the right goalpost and in for a 1-1 game.

Coach Jon Cooper officially ruled Hagel out for Thursday’s game but was hopeful Hagel would be able to get into one of the final three regular season games. The Lightning complete their final road trip of the season Saturday in Boston, then end the regular season with home games Monday against the Red Wings and Wednesday against the Rangers.

Sabourin (undisclosed) is considered a game-time decision for Monday's game against the Sabres, Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The Lightning (48-24-6) travel to Bell Centre to face the Canadiens (46-22-10) with each team looking to keep pace with the Sabres, who lead the Atlantic by two points. Forward Cole Caufield needs one goal to become Montreal's first 50-goal scorer since Stephane Richer (1989-90) and the first to do it at home since Pierre Larouche in 1979-80.

Single-game tickets for Lightning first-round home playoff games will go on sale to the general public on Friday. Tickets can be purchased Friday at 10 a.m. exclusively at Ticketmaster.com. Bolt For Life members will have presale access beginning Tuesday at 10 a.m.

In the Sabres' win over the Lightning, the teams combined for 15 goals, 28 penalties and 102 penalty minutes as Bufflo won its seventh in a row.

RECAP: The Bruins simply didn't do enough in the third period of Saturday's 3-1 loss to the Lightning down in Tampa.