Any Way The NHL Can Make Canadiens Vs. Lightning A Best of 9? Or 11? Or 13?

When NHL commissioner Gary Bettman defended the league's playoff format by arguing that it has the best first round in all sports, the series between the Montreal Canadiens and Tampa Bay Lightning was exactly what he was talking about.

By far the best first-round series in the NHL, it is destined to go seven games, thanks to the Lightning's 1-0 overtime win in Game 6 Friday night.

And that's as it should be between two teams that are so evenly matched.

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This story was originally published May 2, 2026 at 5:00 AM.