The Tampa Bay Lightning drop Game 1 in heartbreaking fashion, falling 4-3 in overtime to the Montreal Canadiens. In this episode of Backchecking the Bolts, we break down everything that led to the OT loss — from key defensive lapses to standout performances and momentum-shifting moments.

We dive into:

• What went right & wrong for the Lightning in Game 1
• Key plays that changed the outcome
• Player performances (who stood out, who struggled)
• The impact of the Montreal & Tampa power plays

Plus, we look ahead to Game 2 — what Tampa Bay needs to adjust, lineup changes to watch, and keys to evening the series.

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In this episode of Backchecking the Bolts, we’re joined by Jackie Spiegel of the Philadelphia Inquirer to break down the resurgence of the Philadelphia Flyers and what it means heading into the 2026 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Jackie gives insider perspective on what’s driving the Flyers’ turnaround, key players stepping up, and whether Philadelphia is a legitimate threat in the Eastern Conference.

Justin and Jason also dive into their NHL Playoff 1st Round predictions, analyzing every series, highlighting potential upsets, and discussing which teams are built for a deep Stanley Cup run.

If you’re looking for a full NHL playoff preview, Flyers analysis, and expert predictions, this episode has you covered.

The Backchecking the Bolts YouTube Channel:

Backchecking the Bolts - YouTube

For all of our social media outlets, use Linktree:

https://linktr.ee/backcheckingthebolts

You can read and follow Jackie Spiegel at the following:
Philadelphia Inquirer: https://www.inquirer.com/author/spiegel_jackie/
X: https://x.com/jackiespiegel93
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/jackiespiegel/

The Tampa Bay Lightning are set to face the Montreal Canadiens in a highly anticipated Stanley Cup Playoff matchup, and we’ve got you covered with a full breakdown on this episode of Backchecking the Bolts.

We’re joined by Jared Book of Habs Eyes on the Prize to get an inside perspective on the Canadiens heading into the series. From key players and lineup strengths to weaknesses Tampa Bay can exploit, this is your complete Canadiens vs Lightning playoff preview.

In the middle of the episode, Justin Godfrey of Raw Charge and Jared Book of Habs Eyes on the Prize go head-to-head breaking down the Tampa Bay Lightning vs Montreal Canadiens playoff series.

Can the Canadiens pull off an upset, or will the Lightning’s playoff experience prove too much?