NHL

Tampa Bay's captain had been around the team in recent weeks, even taking part in some skates. But his last game was in mid-March. He didn’t play in the final 22 games, including the playoffs against Montreal.

Montreal scored twice off fluky deflections and rookie goaltender Jakub Dobes made 28 saves to eliminate Tampa Bay in the opening round of the playoffs for the fourth straight season.

Gage Goncalves scored off his own rebound at 9:02 of the extra period to end a scoreless tie and keep Tampa Bay alive for a series finale on Sunday at Benchmark International Arena.

Tampa Bay is down 3-2 in the best-of-seven and on the brink of first-round elimination for the fourth straight postseason. The teams head back to Montreal for Game 6 on Friday night.

A momentum-swinging hit by Max Crozier and two third-period goals by Brandon Hagel highlight Tampa Bay's comeback from a 2-0 deficit in a 3-2 victory. Game 5 is on Wednesday in Tampa.

All three first-round playoff games were decided in the extra period. In Game 3, Lane Hutson's slap shot gave Montreal a 3-2 victory over Tampa Bay, with Game 4 back in Montreal on Sunday night.

Fans can get together to watch Tampa Bay and Montreal battle on Friday at Armature Works and Sunday at Coachman Park.

J.J. Moser notches the game-winner, and Nikita Kucherov ends a three-year postseason goal drought when his wraparound sends the game into the extra period. Game 3 is in Montreal on Friday night.

Juraj Slafkovsky scored his third power-play goal 1:22 into overtime to lead Montreal to a 4-3 victory over Tampa Bay. Game 2 is back at Benchmark International Arena on Tuesday night.

The best-of-seven series begins on Sunday at 5:45 p.m. at Benchmark International Arena. Game 2 will be Tuesday night before the teams switch to Montreal for Games 3 and 4.

Tampa Bay earned home-ice advantage and will open against the Montreal Canadiens on Sunday.

The door pushed open upon impact before the penalty box official slammed it shut. Coach Jon Cooper questioned whether the Buffalo penalty box operator should be fired.