The Montreal Canadiens are now one win away from advancing to the Conference Semifinals after a composed road victory that has reaffirmed belief in their structure and timing. Their ability to bounce back after a loss has shifted pressure firmly onto the Tampa Bay Lightning.
This progress has also drawn attention from Wayne Gretzky, who has taken a closer look at the work of Martin St. Louis as Montreal edges toward eliminating Tampa Bay. After a 106-point regular season, St. Louis has guided the team to a 3-2 series lead, grinding through five straight one-goal margin games against his former team.
Wayne Gretzky Backs Martin St. Louis As Canadiens Close In on Eliminating Tampa Bay
The Canadiens’ 3-2 win in Game 5 was built on quick responses and reliable goaltending, giving them a 3-2 series lead over the Lightning. Alexandre Texier scored the decisive goal early in the third period, finishing a controlled rush that exposed a defensive gap. Brendan Gallagher (playing his first playoff game in 2026) opened the scoring, while Kirby Dach answered immediately after Tampa Bay tied the game, restoring momentum within seconds.
In goal, Jakub Dobes handled late pressure with composure, stopping 38 shots and closing out the win during a tense final stretch. Tampa Bay, despite contributions from Dominic James and Jake Guentzel, could not sustain control. Defensive lapses and missed chances have left them trailing in this series.
After the game, St. Louis pointed to execution rather than effort, saying the team did not have its “fastball” but still maintained structure. This balance between discipline and adaptability has defined his approach this season. His system has allowed younger players to play with confidence while still maintaining defensive responsibility in close games.
That broader impact drew strong praise from Wayne Gretzky, who reflected on St. Louis’s work during a recent appearance on Chiclets Game Notes. He said, “Montreal deserves a lot of credit. He rebuilt that team and had the confidence in guys like Suzuki [Nick] and Caufield [Cole].”
“I’m really impressed by how they play and how hard they play. You can just feel the confidence of the players.”
Gretzky’s comments extended beyond tactics, highlighting the team’s identity.
“They’re fun to watch, and it’s great for the city of Montreal to expect so much out of their teams, so it’s good to see them back,” ‘The Great One’ added.
For Tampa Bay, the situation now takes on another level of urgency. The Lightning face elimination in Game 6 and must correct defensive breakdowns while generating more consistent offense. Their margin for error has narrowed, especially against a Canadiens team that has shown it can capitalize on brief openings.
Montreal, meanwhile, sits one step closer to clinching its first playoff series in years, with its coach earning recognition for the group’s development.
