The Tampa Bay Lightning (1-0-1) and Montreal Canadiens (1-0-1) meet in Game 3 of the NHL Playoffs tonight. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. ET at Bell Centre in Montreal, QC. The game will be broadcast live on TNT.
The Lightning are favored by -1.5 on the puck line, with the over/under set at 5.5 (-135o / +114u). The Lightning are a -122 favorite to win outright, while the Canadiens are +102 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Lightning vs. Canadiens predictions and NHL picks.
Lightning vs. Canadiens Odds, Pick
| Lightning Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +200 | 5.5 -135o / 114u | -122 |
| Canadiens Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -245 | 5.5 -135o / 114u | +102 |
- Lightning vs. Canadiens Spread: Lightning -1.5 (+200), Canadiens +1.5 (-245)
- Lightning vs. Canadiens Over/Under: 5.5 (-135o / +114u)
- Lightning vs. Canadiens Moneyline: Lightning -122, Canadiens +102
Lightning vs. Canadiens Preview
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning have one of the most efficient offenses in hockey. This season, Tampa Bay ranks fourth in the league in goals scored per game and third in shooting percentage.
The Lightning’s high conversion rate stems from their ability to generate high-danger scoring chances. Entering this matchup, Tampa Bay ranks third in expected goals for per 60 minutes (xGF/60).
Backing this team is goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy, who has struggled against the Montreal Canadiens. In the past six meetings, Vasilevskiy is 2-4 with a .890 save percentage.
Montreal Canadiens
Meanwhile, Jakub Dobes is expected to start for Montreal. Entering this game in poor form, Dobes has allowed three or more goals in each of his past four starts.
He is 1-3 over that stretch with a .870 save percentage.
In fairness to Dobes, he plays behind a defense that allows a high volume of quality chances. This season, the Canadiens rank 26th in expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60).
Lightning vs. Canadiens Prediction
The good news for Montreal is that its offense has been stronger than its defense. Like Tampa Bay, the Canadiens rank in the top 10 in the league in goals scored per game and shooting percentage.
Montreal’s offensive efficiency also stems from its ability to generate high-danger scoring chances. To close the regular season, the Canadiens ranked ninth in xGF/60.
Pick: Over 5.5 (-135, DraftKings)
