Crucial game: the Habs must win against a battered and tired Lightning team

The Canadiens will be back in action tonight after taking the Christmas break from December 24 to 27.

For the occasion, the Habs will play their classic holiday games in Florida, when they take on the Tampa Bay Lightning tonight at 5 p.m. and the Florida Panthers on Tuesday at 7 p.m.

These will be two very important games for the Habs, as they face direct division rivals.

Points count double in these games, so the Habs need to put in strong performances against both Florida teams.

And that's all the more important tonight, given that the Canadiens and Lightning are tied in the standings with 45 points apiece from 37 games.

It's a crucial game, especially as it could mean the top spot in the division should the Detroit Red Wings lose to the Toronto Maple Leafs tonight.

The Habs must give it their all tonight, especially considering they'll be facing a Lightning team that's banged up and tired from last night's game against the Florida Panthers.

Meanwhile in the Battle of Florida… pic.twitter.com/aq5inkuDht

– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 28, 2025

As I mentioned this morning, it was a crazy game in the Battle of Florida, with countless penalties and several dirty hits, including a huge free-for-all.

In short, even if the Lightning came out on top, it was clearly a draining game for Jon Cooper's troupe, so the Habs absolutely have to take advantage.

I know that the season is still long, and that this isn't a game without a future, but it's the kind of game that makes the difference at the end of the season in the standings, depending on whether it's won or lost.

So I hope the Habs players are well rested and ready to give it their all for this important game, while avenging the bitter 6-1 loss to the Lightning at the Bell Centre earlier this month.

Overtime

– Wow.

What a surreal portrait of USA forward Cole Eiserman (NYI) holding the hand of defenseman Cole Hutson (WSH) while he awaits medical attention after getting hit with the puck midway through the 2nd period. The picture courtesy Getty photographer David Berding. pic.twitter.com/48eNxueSaA

– Mike Morreale (@mikemorrealeNHL) December 28, 2025

– Auston Matthews woke up last night.

Auston Matthews with a goal and two assists last night. 9 shots from the slot – more than any player in a game this season and the same amount as his previous 7 games combined. pic.twitter.com/I7AeyUBKAL

– Mike Kelly (@MikeKellyNHL) December 28, 2025

– A file that remains to be followed.

Pierre LeBrun: Yegor Chinakhov asked for a trade before the season and that request hasn't gone anywhere – The Athletic (12/26)

– NHL Rumor Report (@NHLRumorReport) December 28, 2025