Supplemental discipline verdict for Josh Anderson is in, and Game 2 just got hotter
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Daniel Lucente
Apr 20, 2026 (5:23 PM)
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Photo credit: © Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images
Josh Anderson dodged extra discipline, and that turns Tampa Bay's anger into Game 2 pressure on Scott Sabourin and the Lightning bench.
The hit on Charle-Edouard D'Astous only drew a two-minute charging minor after review in Game 1. D'Astous left and did not return.
By Monday evening, there was still no public Department of Player Safety ruling tied to Anderson. That strongly suggests Montreal will have him available for Game 2.
That matters because the temperature of this series changed right there.
Montreal already stole Game 1, 4-3 in overtime, and that gives Anderson's hit even more weight inside Tampa's room.
The clip looks bad because Anderson arrives hard and late, and D'Astous is exposed while playing the puck.
You can see the whole sequence and the aftermath here.
The outside reaction got loud fast, with calls for a major, a suspension, and payback.
Josh Anderson Puts Tampa Bay Lightning On Edge
Fans in Tampa are not wrong to feel that the league left this one in the players' hands.
That is where Scott Sabourin enters the frame, because his value is not top-six skill. It is friction, noise, and making every shift feel unsafe.
Still, revenge can trap Tampa Bay if it becomes the plan.
The smarter answer is controlled pushback, finish checks on Anderson, crowd him after whistles, and force Montreal to defend instead of feeding the Canadiens easy power plays.
Josh Anderson had 14-9-23 in 72 regular-season games, so he is not driving this series with offence alone. He changes it with speed, forecheck pressure, and chaos.
D'Astous had 6-23-29 in 70 games and is now doubtful for Tuesday, which hits Tampa's blue line more than one ugly replay ever could.
So yes, Sabourin may try to answer. Tampa Bay just cannot let that answer become the whole night.
Game 2 now feels simple. If the league will not touch Anderson, the Lightning have to hit back on the scoreboard first and let the rest follow.
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