Upcoming Match-ups
Tmrw
25
Apr
7:00 PM
CLE
ORL
+1
-1
19.5
7:30 PM
NY
PHI
+4.5
-4.5
204.5
10:00 PM
DEN
LAL
-1
+1
215.5
Friday
26
Apr
5:30 PM
MIL
IND
+4
-4
224.5
8:00 PM
LAC
DAL
+3.5
-3.5
208.5
10:30 PM
MIN
PHO
+3.5
-3.5
208.5

Canadiens vs Lightning Odds, Picks and How to Bet Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final

Robert Duff

by Robert Duff in NHL Hockey

Updated Jun 28, 2021 · 8:03 AM PDT

Carey Price glances back
Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price (31) watches as a deflection by Tampa Bay Lightning center Yanni Gourde (37) lands on top of the goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, March 5, 2020, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
  • The Tampa Bay Lightning are -195 home favorites to defeat the Montreal Canadiens in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup final on Monday, June 28
  • Tampa Bay has won all three series-opening games during the 2021 NHL playoffs
  • Read below for Game 1 analysis and a betting prediction

The Tampa Bay Lightning will look to become the fourth NHL team since 2000 to win back-to-back Stanley Cups. Meanwhile, the plucky Montreal Canadiens, the team with the worst record among the NHL’s 16 playoff qualifiers, are seeking to end a 28-year Stanley Cup drought.

As to which team will win Monday’s series opener, Tampa Bay is a -195 favorite at home. Montreal is a +165 road underdog.

So far in the playoffs, the Lightning are 3-0 straight up in Game 1 of a series. Interestingly, two of those three games were played on the road.

The Canadiens are 1-2 SU in Game 1 through three playoff rounds. All three games were played on the road.

 Canadiens vs Lightning Game 1 Odds

Team Moneyline Spread at DraftKings Total
Montreal Canadiens +165 +1.0 (+102) O 5.0 (-125)
Tampa Bay Lightning -195 -1.0 (-121) U 5.0 (+102)

Odds as of June 27th.

Monday’s series opener is an 8 PM EST puck drop at Amalie Arena. NBCSN is carrying the broadcast.

Lightning Traditionally Start Slowly

Though they’ve won the Cup in two of three previous visits to the final series, the Lightning have never gotten off to a successful start. Tampa Bay is 0-3 in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup final.

Last year in the Edmonton bubble, Tampa Bay was humbled 4-1 by the Dallas Stars. The Bolts then turned around to win four of the next five games and take the Cup.

 

When home-ice has been involved, the home team has won last four Stanley Cup final series openers. The team winning Game 1 has gone on to win the Cup in seven of the past nine years.

 Canadiens vs Lightning Series Odds

Team Odds
Montreal Canadiens +225
Tampa Bay Lightning -275

Injury Updates

Montreal revealed that forward Joel Armia has entered the NHL’s COVID protocols and will miss Games 1 and 2 of the final series. Canadiens coach Dominque Ducharme is already in the COVID protocol. He’s expected back for Game 3.

The Canadiens also include forwards Joel Evans (concussion – out) and Tomas Tatar (undisclosed – questionable) on the injury list.

Tampa Bay is reporting no injuries.

Crazy BetMGM Promo Allows Bettors to Bet $20 on Any Event, and Win $100 Even if Their Wager Loses
Read More

Habs Rely On Price

In his 14th NHL season, Canadiens goalie Carey Price is finally going to the Stanley Cup final. Price has posted a 2.02 goals-against average and a .934 save percentage in the playoffs. Montreal forward Cole Caufield leads all rookies in goals (4), assists (5) and points (9).


Montreal is 5-1 in playoff overtime games and 9-2 in one-goal decisions. The Habs are 3-0 when facing elimination.

Montreal has allowed two or fewer goals in 12 playoff games.

Canadiens vs Lightning Game 1 Best Bet

Tampa Bay forward Nikita Kucherov, who missed the entire regular season following hip surgery,is leading the playoffs in scoring for the second straight season. The last player to lead the NHL postseason scoring race in consecutive seasons was Mario Lemieux in 1991 and 1992, when he helped the Penguins repeat as Stanley Cup champions.

Lightning forward Brayden Point is leading the playoffs in goals for the second straight season. He posted a nine-game goal-scoring streak this year, the second-longest in Stanley Cup history.

The last player to lead the NHL in postseason goals in consecutive years was Jari Kurri with the Oilers in 1987 and 1988. The Oilers were Stanley Cup champions both seasons.

They’re also getting it done without the puck. Tampa Bay has held the opposition to two or fewer goals in 11 playoff games, including four shutouts. Goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy has posted shutouts in the club’s last four series-clinching wins. That’s a Stanley Cup record.

The Canadiens don’t want to be playing catch up against the Lightning. Tampa Bay hasn’t lost successive playoff games since 2019.

Pick: Tampa Bay Lightning (-195)

Author Image