The first round of the playoff series between the Montreal Canadiens and Tampa Bay Lightning has been quite intense, and so far, the first three games have gone beyond the 60 minutes. Narrow margins and isolated moments are deciding the outcomes after each regulation.
We saw one such moment in overtime of Game 2, in which Canadiens’ Kirby Dach was at the center of attention after his team’s loss due to a grave mistake. Soon, he became the target of fans online, and he ultimately deactivated his Instagram account due to some backlash.
As emotions carried into the next game, and Dach finally delivered, Habs captain Nick Suzuki came to the forward’s defense.
Nick Suzuki Backs Kirby Dach Amid Online Backlash As Canadiens Stress Unity
Suzuki made his stance clear as the Canadiens dealt with the backlash aimed at Dach following Game 2’s loss. Dach and his partner stepped away from social media on April 22 after facing a surge of abuse and threats tied to a late overtime sequence. The play led to a defensive-zone faceoff, and moments later, Tampa Bay capitalized to even the series, placing Dach at the center of criticism.
The reaction spread quickly online, but inside the Canadiens’ room, the approach stayed consistent. Suzuki shared that teammates remained in close contact with Dach in the days that followed, ensuring he stayed in the right mindset. “We’re sticking together, guys helped him stay positive, and you see what happens when you keep a guy positive,” Suzuki said, highlighting the group’s focus on support rather than blame.
This backing showed on the ice in Game 3, where Dach delivered a composed response. He scored the tying goal in the second period and added an assist earlier in the night, playing a direct role in Montreal’s 3-2 overtime win.
The performance reflected a shift from the previous game’s outcome and showed the impact of internal support while facing a strong opponent.
Dach also received vocal backing from their home crowd, as fans at Bell Centre responded with chants during warmups. While a small section of online voices drove the negativity, the in-arena reaction pointed to a different tone, one that aligned with the team’s message.
Montreal now leads the series 2-1, with all three games decided in overtime, keeping the margin between the teams narrow. Dach’s line, alongside Alexandre Texier and Zachary Bolduc, has provided key offense in recent games, helping offset quieter production from the top unit at even strength. Goaltender Jakub Dobes has also contributed with important saves in high-pressure stretches.
As Game 4 approaches, the emphasis remains on maintaining the approach of unity while managing both the on-ice challenge and the noise surrounding it.
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