Which Tampa Bay Lightning Players Impressed the Most in Their First Round Exit

A rookie highlights Tampa's best players

Apr 29, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning center Dominic James (17) reacts after scoring a goal against the Montreal Canadiens in the second period during game five of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images / Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

The Tampa Bay Lightning took the Montreal Canadiens to seven games in a series that saw every game decided by one goal or fewer, both teams winning two games in overtime, and just great hockey overall.

The Tampa Bay Lightning were unable to get the job done, but they many players still showed why Tampa fans have no reason to worry. Their core is locked up for many years, and one of their most impressive players was a rookie.

The main priority for the Tampa Bay Lightning this offseason is re-signing Darren Raddysh. For a team that has struggled to score in big games, his lethal right-sided one-timer paired with Nikita Kucherov’s passing is a weapon that can’t be given up.

Player for player, they have… pic.twitter.com/Pt38Z3LEMQ

— Sam Len (@SamLenSports) May 4, 2026

1. Brandon Hagel

May 3, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brandon Hagel (38) shoves Montreal Canadiens defenseman Noah Dobson (53) during the third period in game seven of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images / Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images

Hagel was Tampa's best player this series. He made an impact every night, he scored 6 goals, had 7 takeaways, and was a +6 for Tampa in the series. Hagel's physicality, hockey IQ, and hustle was on display all series and was further encapsulated by his impressive empty net save in game seven. He fought hard for the Bolts until the very end. Hagel will be Tampa's captain one day, and trading for him was one of the best decisions the Lightning front office has made in recent years.

Brandon Hagel Proving He’s Tampa Bay’s Next Captain in the Making

2. Jake Guentzel

Apr 29, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning center Jake Guentzel (59) reacts ti the bench of the Montreal Canadiens after scoring a goal in the second period during game five of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images / Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Jake Guentzel was everywhere this series, just like Hagel. Guentzel also had 8 points this series and provided the spark Tampa's offense needed all series. Guentzel is one of the best playoff performers in the sport and he did everything in his power to help the Bolts advance to round 2. Guentzel was huge on both sides of the special teams and having him under contract through 2030-31 is a win for Tampa.

3. Dominic James

May 3, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning forward Dominic James (17) celebrates his goal with defenseman Charle-Edouard D'Astous (51) against the Montreal Canadiens during the second period in game seven of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images / Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images

You can't look at this series without highlighting the Bolts rookie Dominic James. His speed, his physicality, and his ability to get something going on the Bolts second line were huge for Tampa. Dominic James became the first Lightning rookie to score a goal in a Game 7 and the 5th in the team's history to score multiple goals in a playoff series. Tampa has to get younger and faster and James (23) fits that need.

Final series impact card for Tampa Bay Lightning after losing to the Canadiens 3-4 pic.twitter.com/hUaJXbtyL5

— HockeyStatCards (@hockeystatcards) May 4, 2026

Cirelli, Raddysh, and Moser all deserve major props for this series, but I went with the rookie to showcase the bright future he has in Tampa.

Tampa still has a strong core, and they have some promising young pieces in James, Moser, and Goncalves.

Losing in the first round in four straight years truly is a shame, but the Canadiens were not the team Tampa wanted to see in the first round. Tampa will have many decisions to make this offseason including one with Darren Raddysh (who should get extended).

It was a hard fought series, and Guentzel, Hagel, and James gave Tampa a chance.