The Tampa Bay Lightning (42-26-7) travel to face off against the Montreal Canadiens (29-33-12) on Thursday, April 4th. This game will be played at Bell Centre in Montreal and televised on ESPN+. Both team’s come into this one having won their previous games. Puck drop is set for 7:00 ET.

Lightning vs Canadiens

The Tampa Bay Lightning Are Coming Off A Win

With a record of 42-26-7, Tampa Bay currently sits in 6th place in the Eastern Conference. In the Atlantic Division, the Lightning are in 4th place. Over their last ten games, Tampa Bay has gone 8-2, and they have won two straight games on the road.

On the season, the Lightning have been favored in 44 of their 75 games, and they have gone 28-14-2 in those games. Against Eastern Conference opponents, Tampa Bay has gone 23-20, and they are 19-16-3 on the road this season.

On the season, the Lightning have gone 40-35 against the puck line, including a mark of 8-2 in their last ten games. This year, Tampa Bay has 31 wins by multiple goals compared to just 11 by one goal.

So far, the Lightning have been favored in 44 of their games and have a puck line record of 20-24 in those contests. In their last ten games on the road, Tampa Bay has gone 8-2 against the puck line.

Facing the Maple Leafs in their last game, the Lightning won by a score of 4-1. Offensively, the Lightning’s offense scored in each period against the Maple Leafs. In the game, Tampa Bay managed to score all four goals at even strength. They concluded with 25 shots on goal and committed 15 turnovers.

Entering the game as the underdog, Tampa Bay came away with a victory against the puck line. The over/under line for the game was 6.5, and it concluded with a combined total of 5 goals.

The Montreal Canadiens Are Coming Off A Win

At home this season, the Canadiens have a record of 15-18-4 and have been the underdog in 68 of their 74 games. In the Eastern Conference, Montreal is in 15th place and 8th in the Atlantic Division.

Over their last five games, the Canadiens have gone 4-1 and are 5-5 in their last ten games. For the season, Montreal has a record of 29-33-12 and has been the underdog in 24 of their last 32 games.

As the underdog, the Canadiens have a puck line record of 46-22 and have gone 48-26 against the puck line for the season. So far, Montreal has had 17 wins by just one goal and has an average scoring margin of -.8 goals per game as the underdog. In their last ten home games, the Canadiens have gone 9-1 against the puck line.

Overall, Montreal’s average scoring margin is -.6 goals per game, and they have had 23 losses by just one goal. The Canadiens have a puck line record of 24-13 on the road, and their last three games vs. the puck line have gone 2-1.

The Canadiens played host to the Panthers in their previous game and emerged with a 5-3 win. Against the Panthers, the Canadiens’ offense netted goals in all three periods. One of Montreal’s five goals were generated during power plays, while one were scored when shorthanded. In total, they had 38 shots on goal.

Montreal was the underdog going into the game and picked up a win against the puck line. The combined total of 8 goals exceeded the over/under line, which was set at 5.5 goals for the game.

Tampa Bay Offense Breakdown

The Lightning come into the game scoring an average of 3.5 goals per game, putting them 5th in the NHL. Regarding shots targeted at the goal per game, they are 22nd in the league. Coming into the game, the Lightning have a 23-13 record when they have more shots on goal than their opponent. When they have fewer shots on goal, they are 18-11.

The Lightning’s over/under record this season is 35-36-4. For the season, they have had 38 games failing to surpass this game’s over/under line of 6.5. Overall, their games are averaging 6.7 goals per game.

Canadiens Offense Breakdown

In terms of their offensive performance, the Canadiens are averaging 2.7 goals per game this season, putting them in the 27th spot in the NHL. When it comes to shots on goal per game, they are ranked 28th in the league. Coming into the game, the Canadiens have a 6-9 record when they have more shots on goal than their opponent. When they have fewer shots on goal, they are 23-23.

The Canadiens’ over/under record this season is 36-36-2. For the season, they have had 39 games failing to surpass this game’s over/under line of 6.5. Overall, their games are averaging 6.2 goals per game.

Tampa Bay Team Defense

Tampa Bay defense takes on the Canadiens ranked 26th in goals allowed. On average, opponents are averaging 29.2 shots per game against Tampa Bay. They also are 13th in shutouts, with 4 shutouts.

Montreal Team Defense

Defensively, the Canadiens are currently 6th in goals allowed. On average, opponents are taking 32.4 shots per game against Montreal. They also are 25th in shutouts, coming in with 2 shutouts.

Lightning vs Canadiens Trends

• In their last three road games, Tampa Bay has averaged 3 goals per game while allowing 2. The team’s record in this stretch was 2-1 while going 2-1 vs. the spread.
• In their last three home games, Montreal has averaged 3 goals per game while allowing 2. The team’s record in this stretch was 2-1 while going 2-1 vs. the spread.
• The Canadiens have played well in their last five games as the betting underdog, going 4-1 straight up and 4-1 against the spread.
• The Lightning have played well in their last five games as the betting favorite, going 4-1 straight up and 3-2 against the spread.

Lightning vs Canadiens Prediction

If you’re looking for a moneyline pick, my choice is the Canadiens to take down the Lightning at home. With the moneyline currently at +142, I’m placing my bet on the Canadiens straight-up.

Our projections have the Canadiens pulling out a win as the underdog. But if you’re not as bullish as we are on the Canadiens, we’d recommend at least getting a bet down on them to cover the puck line.

When considering the over/under line, which is currently at 6.5 goals, we believe that this game will go over that threshold, and we recommend wagering on the over.

All odds are courtesy of Action247 Sportsbook. Good luck!!

* All odds are provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.Action247 does not warrant the accuracy of completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within these post.