After a devastating loss in game four to the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Montreal Canadiens could be welcoming back their emotional leader, Brendan Gallagher, into the lineup. Gallagher has not appeared in a game since the 3-2 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on April 14th. After going his entire career without being a healthy scratch since his rookie debut, Gallagher was first scratched against the San Jose Sharks on March 14th, something that became more common down the stretch of the season, including a four-game stretch before his last appearance. However, after the way game four ended against the Lightning, the Canadiens may be looking to add some grit and energy to the lineup.
The Canadiens appeared to have the Lightning exactly where they wanted them, up 2-0, the first time either team had had a two-goal lead in the series, but it was Tampa Bay who walked out of the Bell Centre with the victory. The Lightning cut the lead to one late in the second before taking over in the third period, thanks in large part to the play of Brandon Hagel. Hagel has been all over the ice in this series, but has really become a pest in front of the net. With Gallagher, not only do you have someone with valuable playoff experience, but you also have a player who has built his career on being the opposing team’s goalie's number one enemy, something the Canadiens have lacked in this series.
While the Canadiens' lineup for game five has yet to be announced, Gallagher was not on the ice for the team’s morning skate, with Oliver Kapanen in his place, likely meaning the rookie Finnish forward will be making way for the veteran. If Gallagher is set to make his return to the lineup, it will likely be on a line he is familiar with, on the wing with Josh Anderson, centred by Phillip Danault.
Oliver Kapanen on the ice for Habs morning skate. Joe Veleno also taking part.
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) April 29, 2026
Brendan Gallagher is not taking part in morning skate … would suggest that Gallagher might be in tonight. But it’s the playoffs so who knows. pic.twitter.com/9tIo2lAJe6
Gallagher is one of the few Canadiens players to have made the playoffs on more than one occasion. If Gallagher does make his return to the lineup, this will be his 8th season in the playoffs, and he has recorded 13 goals and 33 points in 76 games. He is someone who has played in the Eastern Conference and the Stanley Cup Final and knows exactly the battles that the team will have to face to get there. It is no secret that Gallagher is not the same player he was 10 years ago, but in a series tied up at two following a heartbreaking loss, this is the exact right time to inject some Brendan Gallagher into the lineup.
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