The Habs look for redemption as they host the Tampa Bay Lightning for the first time since losing to them in last year's Stanley Cup final.
The Lightning are -217 favourites to win on the NHL odds with a total of 5.5.
Lightning vs. Canadiens NHL Betting Odds
This will be the first of three meetings between the Atlantic Division rivals and the only one in Montreal this year. Last year’s Cup final went five games – Tampa won four, outscoring the Canadiens 18-9. The series is still fresh in bettor’s minds as 95 percent are taking Tampa Bay. The Under went 3-2 in the series, but bettors are still liking the Over tonight, giving it 93 percent of the betting action.
The Lightning have covered the spread three games in a row to even their record at 12-12 this season. They are averaging 3.3 goals per game, the seventh-highest rate in the NHL, which has them playing the Over in seven of their past ten.
Montreal has not had any luck against the spread this season, covering in only 10 of their 26 outings and only four times in their past 10. Five of the Habs’ past eight games have hit the Over – giving up an average of four goals per night will do that.
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Lightning ran over the Philadelphia Flyers 7-1 on Sunday night to extend their winning streak to three games. Former Canadien forward Corey Perry led the way on offence with a pair of goals and a helper. He now has eight points in his past eight games after having only a point to open the year.
The Bolts have been great on the road this season going 7-2-2 so far. They have a .727 point percentage on the road for third-best in the league.
Goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy has been almost unbeatable over his past five starts. He has stopped 147 of 154 shots with a 0.955 save percentage, picking up two shutouts and going 4-1 over the stretch.
Montreal Canadiens
Montreal came up just short in Saturday’s 4-3 overtime loss to the Nashville Predators, stretching their losing streak to three. Jake Allen stopped 40 of 44 shots before allowing the game-winning goal with only seconds remaining.
Cole Caufield finished the game with a pair of assists for his first multi-point game of the season.
The Habs lost forwards Josh Anderson and Tyler Toffoli both for at least a couple of weeks on Saturday, as the list of injured Canadiens grows by the game. Jeff Petry and Joel Armia are also both questionable for tonight’s contest.
Two players are expected to make their Canadiens debut tonight, Laurent Dauphin has been called up from Laval, and defenceman Kale Clague, the newest member of the team was picked up off waivers over the weekend.
NHL Prediction: Who Will Win Lightning vs. Canadiens?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 6 Dec 8:52pm | TB | -1.5 +138 | O +5.5 -114 |
| Closing 8 Dec 12:02am | TB | -1.5 -105 | U +5.5 -120 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Lightning Team Leaders
| Points |
106 |
| + / - |
26 |
| Shots |
241 |
| Penalty Mins |
134 |
| Wins |
39 |
| GAA |
2.43 |
| Points |
61 |
| + / - |
3 |
| Shots |
188 |
| Penalty Mins |
81 |
| Wins |
9 |
| GAA |
3.3 |
| Points |
15 |
| + / - |
5 |
| Shots |
35 |
| Penalty Mins |
17 |
| Wins |
7 |
| GAA |
2.44 |
| Points | |
| + / - | |
| Shots | Did not qualify |
| Penalty Mins | |
| Wins | |
| GAA |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Canadiens Team Leaders
| Points |
106 |
| + / - |
26 |
| Shots |
241 |
| Penalty Mins |
134 |
| Wins |
39 |
| GAA |
2.43 |
| Points |
61 |
| + / - |
3 |
| Shots |
188 |
| Penalty Mins |
81 |
| Wins |
9 |
| GAA |
3.3 |
| Points |
15 |
| + / - |
5 |
| Shots |
35 |
| Penalty Mins |
17 |
| Wins |
7 |
| GAA |
2.44 |
| Points | |
| + / - | |
| Shots | Did not qualify |
| Penalty Mins | |
| Wins | |
| GAA |
Injuries
Brandon Hagel (LW)
Erik Cernak (D)
Brayden Point (C)
Brayden Point (C)
Jan Rutta (D)
Brayden Point (C)
Erik Cernak (D)
Jan Rutta (D)
Mikhail Sergachev (D)
Brayden Point (C)
Carey Price (G)
Joel Armia (RW)
Paul Byron (LW)
Jake Evans (C)
Michael Pezzetta (LW)
Jake Allen (G)
Paul Byron (LW)
Justin Barron (D)
Chris Wideman (D)
Jake Evans (C)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brandon Hagel (LW) | Ques Sun | Lower Body - 19 / 05 / 22 | 3-0 | 0-3 | + - |
|
Hagel is dealing with a lower-body injury, and it is unclear if he will lace up against the Panthers in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference second round. |
|||||
| Erik Cernak (D) | Prob Thurs | Hand - 17 / 05 / 22 | 4-0 | 0-4 | + - |
|
Cernak is tending to a hand injury, but it is projected that he will face the Panthers in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference second round. |
|||||
| Brayden Point (C) | Ques Mon | Lower Body - 15 / 05 / 22 | 4-0 | 0-4 | + - |
|
Point is battling a lower-body injury, and it remains to be seen if he will dress for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference second round versus the Panthers. |
|||||
| Brayden Point (C) | day-to-day | Undisclosed - 14 / 05 / 22 | 4-1 | 1-4 | + - |
|
Point exited Saturday's game with an unspecified issue, and it is unknown if he will return. |
|||||
| Jan Rutta (D) | Ques Fri | Head - 04 / 05 / 22 | 7-3 | 5-5 | + - |
|
Rutta is managing a head laceration, and it is uncertain if he will suit up for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Maple Leafs. |
|||||
| Brayden Point (C) | Prob Mon | Lower Body - 01 / 05 / 22 | 8-3 | 6-5 | + - |
|
Point is dealing with a lower-body injury, but it is likely that he will be in the lineup for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Maple Leafs. |
|||||
| Erik Cernak (D) | Prob Thurs | Face - 26 / 04 / 22 | 10-4 | 8-6 | + - |
|
Cernak was forced from the previous game with a facial laceration, but it is projected that he will take on the Blue Jackets on Thursday. |
|||||
| Jan Rutta (D) | Ques Fri | Undisclosed - 25 / 04 / 22 | 10-4 | 8-6 | + - |
|
Rutta has missed the previous two games due to an injury to an unlisted location, leaving his status for Friday's clash with the Islanders in question. |
|||||
| Mikhail Sergachev (D) | Ques Tues | Undisclosed - 25 / 04 / 22 | 10-4 | 8-6 | + - |
|
Sergachev was forced from the last contest with an undefined issue, and it is unknown if he will take on the Blue Jackets on Tuesday. |
|||||
| Brayden Point (C) | Prob Sat | Lower Body - 21 / 04 / 22 | 12-5 | 11-6 | + - |
|
Point has sat out the last two contests dealing with a lower-body injury, but it is projected that he will battle the Predators on Saturday. |
|||||
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carey Price (G) | Prob Fri | Knee - 25 / 04 / 22 | 1-1 | 2-0 | + - |
|
Price missed the previous game as he was given a break from travel. It is intended that he will return to the crease Friday versus the Panthers. |
|||||
| Joel Armia (RW) | Out indefinitely | Personal - 19 / 04 / 22 | 1-5 | 5-1 | + - |
|
Armia is out of the lineup due to a personal matter, and he will miss an undetermined length of time. |
|||||
| Paul Byron (LW) | Ques Fri | Lower Body - 19 / 04 / 22 | 1-5 | 5-1 | + - |
|
Byron has been absent from the last four games with a lower-body injury, and it has yet to be determined if he will take on the Panthers on Friday. |
|||||
| Jake Evans (C) | Prob Thurs | Undisclosed - 19 / 04 / 22 | 1-5 | 5-1 | + - |
|
Evans sat out the last contest with an unspecified ailment, but it is projected that he will line up against the Flyers on Thursday. |
|||||
| Michael Pezzetta (LW) | Elig Sat | Suspension - 17 / 04 / 22 | 1-5 | 5-1 | + - |
|
Pezzetta has been handed a two-game suspension for an illegal check to the head, and he is eligible to return against the Senators on Saturday. |
|||||
| Jake Allen (G) | out for season | Groin - 09 / 04 / 22 | 3-8 | 6-5 | + - |
|
Allen is idle with a groin injury, and he will miss the remainder of the season. |
|||||
| Paul Byron (LW) | Prob Mon | Undisclosed - 06 / 04 / 22 | 3-9 | 7-5 | + - |
|
Byron has sat out the last two games due to an undefined injury, but it is projected that he will suit up Monday against the Jets. |
|||||
| Justin Barron (D) | out for season | Ankle - 06 / 04 / 22 | 3-9 | 7-5 | + - |
|
Barron will sit out the rest of the 2021-22 season with an ankle injury. |
|||||
| Chris Wideman (D) | Ques Tues | Undisclosed - 01 / 04 / 22 | 4-10 | 8-6 | + - |
|
Wideman sat out the last game with an unspecified ailment, and it has yet to be established if he will face the Senators on Tuesday. |
|||||
| Jake Evans (C) | Prob Thurs | Upper Body - 30 / 03 / 22 | 4-11 | 9-6 | + - |
|
Evans departed the last game due to an upper-body injury, but it is projected that he will play Thursday versus the Hurricanes. |
|||||
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TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING
3 -
MONTREAL CANADIENS
5
Score
Prediction
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 6 Dec 8:52pm TB -1.5 +138 O +5.5 -114 Closing 8 Dec 12:02am TB -1.5 -105 U +5.5 -120 -
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Lightning Team Leaders
Points 106
+ / - 26
Shots 241
Penalty Mins 134
Wins 39
GAA 2.43
Points 61
+ / - 3
Shots 188
Penalty Mins 81
Wins 9
GAA 3.3
Points 15
+ / - 5
Shots 35
Penalty Mins 17
Wins 7
GAA 2.44
Points + / - Shots Did not qualify Penalty Mins Wins GAA -
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Canadiens Team Leaders
Points 106
+ / - 26
Shots 241
Penalty Mins 134
Wins 39
GAA 2.43
Points 61
+ / - 3
Shots 188
Penalty Mins 81
Wins 9
GAA 3.3
Points 15
+ / - 5
Shots 35
Penalty Mins 17
Wins 7
GAA 2.44
Points + / - Shots Did not qualify Penalty Mins Wins GAA -
Injuries
Brandon Hagel (LW)
Ques Sun Lower Body - 19 / 05 / 22Erik Cernak (D)
Prob Thurs Hand - 17 / 05 / 22Brayden Point (C)
Ques Mon Lower Body - 15 / 05 / 22Brayden Point (C)
day-to-day Undisclosed - 14 / 05 / 22Jan Rutta (D)
Ques Fri Head - 04 / 05 / 22Brayden Point (C)
Prob Mon Lower Body - 01 / 05 / 22Erik Cernak (D)
Prob Thurs Face - 26 / 04 / 22Jan Rutta (D)
Ques Fri Undisclosed - 25 / 04 / 22Mikhail Sergachev (D)
Ques Tues Undisclosed - 25 / 04 / 22Brayden Point (C)
Prob Sat Lower Body - 21 / 04 / 22Carey Price (G)
Prob Fri Knee - 25 / 04 / 22Joel Armia (RW)
Out indefinitely Personal - 19 / 04 / 22Paul Byron (LW)
Ques Fri Lower Body - 19 / 04 / 22Jake Evans (C)
Prob Thurs Undisclosed - 19 / 04 / 22Michael Pezzetta (LW)
Elig Sat Suspension - 17 / 04 / 22Jake Allen (G)
out for season Groin - 09 / 04 / 22Paul Byron (LW)
Prob Mon Undisclosed - 06 / 04 / 22Justin Barron (D)
out for season Ankle - 06 / 04 / 22Chris Wideman (D)
Ques Tues Undisclosed - 01 / 04 / 22Jake Evans (C)
Prob Thurs Upper Body - 30 / 03 / 22Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Brandon Hagel (LW) Ques Sun Lower Body - 19 / 05 / 22 3-0 0-3 + - Hagel is dealing with a lower-body injury, and it is unclear if he will lace up against the Panthers in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference second round.
Erik Cernak (D) Prob Thurs Hand - 17 / 05 / 22 4-0 0-4 + - Cernak is tending to a hand injury, but it is projected that he will face the Panthers in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference second round.
Brayden Point (C) Ques Mon Lower Body - 15 / 05 / 22 4-0 0-4 + - Point is battling a lower-body injury, and it remains to be seen if he will dress for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference second round versus the Panthers.
Brayden Point (C) day-to-day Undisclosed - 14 / 05 / 22 4-1 1-4 + - Point exited Saturday's game with an unspecified issue, and it is unknown if he will return.
Jan Rutta (D) Ques Fri Head - 04 / 05 / 22 7-3 5-5 + - Rutta is managing a head laceration, and it is uncertain if he will suit up for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Maple Leafs.
Brayden Point (C) Prob Mon Lower Body - 01 / 05 / 22 8-3 6-5 + - Point is dealing with a lower-body injury, but it is likely that he will be in the lineup for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Maple Leafs.
Erik Cernak (D) Prob Thurs Face - 26 / 04 / 22 10-4 8-6 + - Cernak was forced from the previous game with a facial laceration, but it is projected that he will take on the Blue Jackets on Thursday.
Jan Rutta (D) Ques Fri Undisclosed - 25 / 04 / 22 10-4 8-6 + - Rutta has missed the previous two games due to an injury to an unlisted location, leaving his status for Friday's clash with the Islanders in question.
Mikhail Sergachev (D) Ques Tues Undisclosed - 25 / 04 / 22 10-4 8-6 + - Sergachev was forced from the last contest with an undefined issue, and it is unknown if he will take on the Blue Jackets on Tuesday.
Brayden Point (C) Prob Sat Lower Body - 21 / 04 / 22 12-5 11-6 + - Point has sat out the last two contests dealing with a lower-body injury, but it is projected that he will battle the Predators on Saturday.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Carey Price (G) Prob Fri Knee - 25 / 04 / 22 1-1 2-0 + - Price missed the previous game as he was given a break from travel. It is intended that he will return to the crease Friday versus the Panthers.
Joel Armia (RW) Out indefinitely Personal - 19 / 04 / 22 1-5 5-1 + - Armia is out of the lineup due to a personal matter, and he will miss an undetermined length of time.
Paul Byron (LW) Ques Fri Lower Body - 19 / 04 / 22 1-5 5-1 + - Byron has been absent from the last four games with a lower-body injury, and it has yet to be determined if he will take on the Panthers on Friday.
Jake Evans (C) Prob Thurs Undisclosed - 19 / 04 / 22 1-5 5-1 + - Evans sat out the last contest with an unspecified ailment, but it is projected that he will line up against the Flyers on Thursday.
Michael Pezzetta (LW) Elig Sat Suspension - 17 / 04 / 22 1-5 5-1 + - Pezzetta has been handed a two-game suspension for an illegal check to the head, and he is eligible to return against the Senators on Saturday.
Jake Allen (G) out for season Groin - 09 / 04 / 22 3-8 6-5 + - Allen is idle with a groin injury, and he will miss the remainder of the season.
Paul Byron (LW) Prob Mon Undisclosed - 06 / 04 / 22 3-9 7-5 + - Byron has sat out the last two games due to an undefined injury, but it is projected that he will suit up Monday against the Jets.
Justin Barron (D) out for season Ankle - 06 / 04 / 22 3-9 7-5 + - Barron will sit out the rest of the 2021-22 season with an ankle injury.
Chris Wideman (D) Ques Tues Undisclosed - 01 / 04 / 22 4-10 8-6 + - Wideman sat out the last game with an unspecified ailment, and it has yet to be established if he will face the Senators on Tuesday.
Jake Evans (C) Prob Thurs Upper Body - 30 / 03 / 22 4-11 9-6 + - Evans departed the last game due to an upper-body injury, but it is projected that he will play Thursday versus the Hurricanes.