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The Montreal Canadiens must make a crucial lineup change ahead of Game 3 against the Tampa Bay Lightning at home.

The Montreal Canadiens could easily be up 2-0 in their first-round series against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs.

Instead, the Habs are going back to Montreal with a split in Tampa. While that’s not a bad situation by any means, the fact is that a costly gaffe could have needlessly extended the series for Montreal.

The costly gaffe was the icing call that led to the J.J. Moser game-winner. Canadiens forward Kirby Dach had a brain freeze in overtime. Instead of dumping the puck into the Lightning zone, he flipped the puck before reaching the red line. That situation created the unnecessary icing call.

The play came back into the Montreal zone, Dach was unable to cover Moser, and the Bolts’ defenseman ended the game on a nifty goal.

That mistake now forces the Habs to make a much-needed lineup change. Dach’s gaffe is something that cannot happen in the postseason. Unfortunately for Dach, the egregious miscue cost his team a game in the playoffs.

As Canadiens insider Marco D’Amico put it, Dach’s play was completely unacceptable in a playoff contest.

Meanwhile, Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis did not tip his hand as to any lineup changes for Friday’s Game 3. If anything, he did the right thing by defending his players. But there is no question that a change has to come.

The club just cannot allow more of this to happen.

Gallagher Should Get Nod in Place of Dach

One veteran that’s gotten press box duty is Brendan Gallagher. Given the situation befalling the Canadiens, it’s time the 33-year-old drew back into the lineup.

With the way the series is going, the Canadiens need as much punch and reliable play as they can find. Gallagher is about as reliable as they come. While he may not be an offensive dynamo, he’s the sort of guy coaches want in the postseason.

Yes, there is a clear reason for having a player like Dach in the lineup. When healthy, he’s a skilled scorer. But questionable judgment calls like Tuesday night’s play leave so much room for doubt.

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Canadiens Have Golden Opportunity to Take Commanding Lead

One of the tenets of all playoff series is for the road team to seek a split in the first two games. A split allows the road team to take advantage of Games 3 and 4 at home.

Well, that’s the situation the Canadiens are in now. They earned a split on the road and can take full advantage of the series returning to Montreal. Sure, the Lightning are a good road team. But the way the series has gone suggests that the Habs and Bolts are on equal footing.

Another solid 60 minutes from the Canadiens could easily put them up 2-1 in the series. And it could also put the Lightning in a tight spot. Tampa is a good team, but it doesn’t really look like the juggernaut that made it to three straight Stanley Cup Finals.

The time has come for the Habs to take advantage of the circumstances and make their way to the next round.