The Montreal Canadiens faced the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday night, aiming to establish a dominant 2-0 lead in the first-round series.

The Habs never managed to create a lead, with the Lightning eventually emerging with a 3-2 overtime win.

It’s legitimately impressive how greasy the Lightning tend to be every shift. Not only do they start most of the ugly stuff, they also act as if it was some sort of cardinal sin to penalize them for their clear-cut idiocy.

Corey Perry epitomizes this lizard-like approach to logic. He constantly looks for smaller opponents, and when they inform him they aren’t interested in sharing his musk, which is almost certainly a mix of old chili and Mr. Beast-branded snacks, he gets very, very upset.

Perry was in the box as the Canadiens tied the game in the first period, a good reminder that the best way to make the Lightning pay is to score whenever the shenanigans emerge.

It was Lane Hutson, a player who Perry attempted to fight in a recent game, who fittingly scored the game-tying goal.

This is what you want to see, especially since the Lightning start ugly scrums every single shift. Make them pay for their idiocy.The #GoHabsGo tie the game via a Lane Hutson poweprlay goal. pic.twitter.com/dXTZC5FOKA

— Montreal Hockey Now (@MTLhockeynow) April 21, 2026

If you watched the first half of the game on ESPN, you may have gotten the impression that the Lightning were the dominant team, but that was the furthest thing from the truth when it came to the aspects of the game that really mattered.

While the Lightning focused on the ugly stuff, the Canadiens controlled the shots and the high-danger scoring chances at 5v5.

It’s not a pretty way to play hockey on Tampa Bay’s part, but it is a fairly clear path to success for the Canadiens, as long as they keep focusing on hockey rather than extracurricular activities.

For example, Juraj Slafkovsky ended up motivating the Lightning when he fought Brandon Hagel, and caught a heavy punch from his opponent midway through the second period. It was far from an ideal situation, and one the Habs should avoid going forward.

Sportlogiq had the Canadiens winning 88 per cent of the puck battles in the first period.

With the game heating up in the physical department, the Canadiens had a perfect chance to establish their first lead, but veteran centre Phillip Danault failed to capitalize on a wide-open net. It should also be noted that Jake Evans is quietly having a solid series, considering his limited usage.

Phillip Danault misses the wide open net. #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/2sWHrr9AlE

— Montreal Hockey Now (@MTLhockeynow) April 22, 2026

At the risk of being labelled a complainer, which would not be a misnomer given the tone of this article, the Lightning’s greasiness was impossible to ignore.

It’s not just that they constantly take dirty shots after the whistle, it’s also how they act like a shocked Pikachu whenever the referees call the obvious penalties.

Kucherov goes flying, Guhle off for hooking. pic.twitter.com/uyqw2aLrQK

— Montreal Hockey Now (@MTLhockeynow) April 22, 2026