The first-round series between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Montreal Canadiens has turned into a physical and tight battle. Both games needed overtime, and neither side has managed to create separation. Tampa Bay avoided falling behind early in the matchup, while Montreal has matched that push with its young group and edge.
As the series shifts to Montreal, Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk has already singled out one Canadiens winger the Lightning need to keep in check.
Matthew Tkachuk Warns Lightning About Canadiens’ Physical Force, Josh Anderson
Tkachuk, who is a two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Florida Panthers, is not playing in the playoffs this year after his team’s elimination from contention. However, he is deeply immersed in the playoffs, even as a fan. And he did not hold back when discussing the impact of Canadiens winger Josh Anderson during his recent appearance on Spittin’ Chiclets.
While discussing the Lightning vs. Canadiens series, Tkachuk pointed directly at Anderson’s influence. He said, “Josh Anderson might be Conn Smythe right now, the best playoff player. He’s dominating, he’s killing guys. I would not want to play against him right now.”
Anderson has already set the tone in this series, using his physical style to influence how each shift plays out. His presence goes beyond the scoresheet, as he continues to pressure Tampa Bay with consistent contact and net-front battles.
In Game 2, he scored late in the second period to give Montreal a 2-1 lead, continuing a strong start after also finding the net in Game 1. Beyond the goals, his style has created discomfort for opponents, especially in high-traffic areas, and he has 6 penalty minutes over the two games.
Tkachuk expanded on that physical edge, comparing Anderson to players known for heavy play. “He’s kind of playing like Bennett [Sam] and Wilson [Tom]… you just have to watch, and he’s hitting to hurt too,” he said.
He added that those hits are not just for numbers, explaining, “They’re not just hitting to add another hit on the stat sheet. They’re trying to do some damage.”
The series itself reflects that intensity. Montreal claimed the opener in overtime behind Juraj Slafkovský’s hat trick, while Tampa Bay responded with a 3-2 overtime win in Game 2 where J.J. Moser scored his first playoff goal. Nikita Kucherov’s late equalizer kept Tampa alive, and Brandon Hagel added energy with a multi-impact performance.
Still, Montreal has stayed within reach largely because of players like Anderson and strong goaltending from Jakub Dobes. Tampa Bay, meanwhile, faces added pressure with Victor Hedman’s status uncertain, making physical matchups even more important as the series shifts.
Tkachuk also noted the broader intensity of playoff hockey, saying, “The playoffs are crazy… all these series, especially in the East, are pretty fun to watch.”
As Game 3 approaches, Tampa Bay will need to manage Anderson’s presence more effectively. His combination of scoring and physical play has already influenced the flow of the series, and as Tkachuk suggested, opponents may need to stay alert every shift when he’s on the ice.
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