Free NHL Hockey Prediction: Canadiens vs Lightning NHL Odds
Looking for Montreal Canadiens vs. Tampa Bay Lightning free hockey plays & NHL Odds? NHL betting sees the Lightning taking on the Canadiens on Wednesday, July 7th, 2021 at The Bell Centre in Montreal. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NHL Hockey games all season long so stay tuned for more FREE daily NHL hockey predictions like this Lightning Canadiens matchup.
NHL Handicapping Analysis
2021 Stanley Cup Finals Game 5
(24-21-11) (1-3) Montreal Canadiens vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (3-1) (36-17-3)
Date: Wednesday, July 7th, 2021
Time: 8:00pm ET
Venue: Amalie Arena in Tampa
NHL Hockey Moneyline Odds: Canadiens +190 Lightning -230
NHL Hockey Puck Line Odds: Canadiens +1.5 -145 Lightning -1.5 +125
NHL Betting Total: 5
Against all odds, lightning did not strike twice in Montreal. The Habs are feeling good after an overtime win in game 4 to stay alive, we’ll see if they can do it again in Tampa.
Montreal Canadiens
After questioning the line up decisions going into game 4, hockey proves once again that it’s a wild and unpredictable sport. Many thought this Stanley Cup Final would be wrapped up in only 4 games, but Montreal has forced the series back to Tampa.
Two of those line up decisions payed dividends with Romanov and Evans both showing up on the scoresheet. We won’t know if the Habs intend to put Kotkaniemi back into the line up. He is one of their most dangerous forwards, but Montreal seemed to do just fine with him in the Press Box.
The other bright spot for Montreal in game 4 was Josh Anderson. Anderson scored the opening goal off a slick pass from Nick Suzuki, and then he made an incredible play in overtime to win the game.
The team also made strides in cutting down on scoring chances off of turnovers, which was a huge factor in the first three games. Price had faced some criticism in his play, and his numbers have steeply declined, but the turnovers and the odd man rushes should not be placed on his head.
We will see if Montreal can keep up their play beyond one game. I’m personally not optimistic about their chances in Tampa Bay.
Tampa Bay Lightning
Well, it wasn’t a sweep for Tampa, but the Lightning are still in very good shape in this Stanley Cup Final. What impresses me most about this Bolts team is not their high end finishing talent, which they have plenty of, but rather their consistent ability to keep the puck in the offensive zone.
Most teams form a wall at their own blue line to make zone entries as difficult as possible for the other team, but Tampa manages to trap Montreal in their own end for long stretches of the game. It’s really impressive to watch and it only serves to reinforce how good this lightning team is.
Playing at home will mean that head coach, John Cooper, will have last change. This means he will have the on ice match ups he wants. This proved to stop a lot of Montreal’s offensive threats, only allowing 2 goals against in 2 home games. We’ll see if that trend continues in game 5.
NHL Betting Trends
- Montreal are 12-5 SU in their last 17 games.
- Montreal are 1-7 SU in their last 8 games against Tampa Bay.
- Montreal are 6-3 SU in their last 9 games on the road.
- Tampa Bay are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games.
- Tampa Bay are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games at home.
- Tampa Bay are 8-0 SU in their last 8 games when playing at home against Montreal.
Free Montreal Canadiens vs. Tampa Bay Lightning NHL Prediction:
I’m expecting a relatively low scoring game. Montreal has been improving on defence, but Tampa was able to completely smoother Montreal’s scoring in the first two home games. I suggest taking the under on this one. Good luck!
4* Free NHL Betting Pick: Under 5 +105
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