The Tampa Bay Lightning (41-20-5, 87 points) currently sit in second place in the NHL’s Atlantic Division, nine points back of the division-leading Boston Bruins. The Lightning had a chance to get two points closer to Boston but lost at home to the streaking B’s on Tuesday night. Next up for Tampa Bay is a visit from the Montreal Canadiens (31-28-9, 71 points), who are in fifth place in the Atlantic and seven points behind the Columbus Blue Jackets for the second wild card in the Eastern Conference. Montreal has won just four of their last ten but has a two-game winning streak as they head into Amalie Arena on Thursday night. Can they continue Tampa Bay’s recent run of futility, or will the Lightning take out some frustrations on one of the less consistent teams in their division? Read our sports betting preview as you plan your wagering for the rest of the week. Let’s see how the NHL odds will be for the Canadiens vs Lightning.
Canadiens vs Lightning 2020 NHL Game Preview & Betting Odds
- When: Thursday, March 5, 2020, 7:00 pm ET
- Where: Amalie Arena, Tampa, FL
- TV: No National Broadcast
- Radio: CKGM 690 AM Montreal / WFLA 970 AM Tampa Bay
- Live Stream: ESPN+
- NHL Odds: Tampa Bay Lightning -1.5 / Total 6.5
Why should you bet on Montreal?
The Canadiens had dropped two in a row, losing at home to Vancouver on February 25 and to the New York Rangers two nights later, but then on Saturday night the Carolina Hurricanes came to town. Montreal picked up a 4-3 win before heading out on a road trip. Their first game came in New York against the Islanders on Tuesday, where the Habs rolled to a 6-2 victory.
In that win, the Canadiens got off to a quick start, scoring three goals over a span of just 5:03 in the first period. Brendan Gallagher had a goal and an assist, as did Joel Armia. Jeff Petry, Charles Hudon, Paul Byron and Jordan Weal also lit the lamp for the Habs, and Phillip Danault had a pair of assists. Carey Price only saw 22 shots on net, and he stopped two of them to get his 14th career win against the Islanders. Montreal did lose Tomas Tatar, who leads the Canadiens with 22 goals and 39 assists, to a lower-body injury during that first period, so you will want to check the latest injury reports before you commit to a wager.
Why should you put your money on Tampa Bay?
The Lightning had lost four in a row, including a frustrating 5-2 home setback against the lowly Chicago Blackhawks, before recovering on Saturday to beat the Calgary Flames, 4-3. Then on Tuesday the Bruins came to town, and Boston put the clamps on the Tampa Bay offense, taking a 2-1 win. It did not help that the Lightning are without captain Steven Stamkos for the rest of the regular season, but they will have to find other offensive contributors in his absence if they want to contend.
In that loss to Boston, Tampa Bay only managed 21 shots on goal, getting their lone tally from Mitchell Stephens. Andrei Vasilevskiy saw 35 shots and stopped 33 of them, but Tampa Bay did not have enough answers for the Boston barrage. Tampa Bay kept consistent effort against the Bruins, but they did not have the offense to break through. Nikita Kucherov did not have a point for the first time since January 12, ending a seven-game scoring streak that dated back to the February 13 game, which he missed due to injury. If you like the Lightning, you see them finding more offense against a team with a defense that is consistent but less suffocating.
Canadiens vs Lightning Final Score Prediction
Montreal looks hungrier than Tampa Bay right now, as the Canadiens are in a fight for their playoff lives, while the Lightning do not seem in much of a hurry to push the Bruins. Given how Tampa Bay has played against middling teams lately, I see the Canadiens coming in and swiping a 3-2 win.
