A clear difference between the Lightning and all other teams was seen in Monday’s Game 1. Tampa Bay routed the Canadiens 5-1 in a statement maker. The Lightning did what the Golden Knights were supposed to do but didn’t. As a result, the Bolts hold a 1-0 series lead in the Stanley Cup Final. Gamblers discovered that Tampa Bay has the look of a truly deep and complete team. In turn, the Canadiens must tighten up their play. Cause by structure and attention to detail has Montreal emerged as an NHL betting Cinderella team.
2021 Stanley Cup Final Game 2 Montreal Canadiens vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
| Date and Time: | Wednesday, June 30, 2021, 8 p.m. ET |
|---|---|
| Location: | Amalie Arena, Tampa, Florida |
| Canadiens vs. Lightning TV Coverage: | NBCSN |
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canadiens | +1½ (-147) | 5 (-117) | +175 |  |
| Lightning | -1½ (+127) | 5 (-103) | -210 | |
| ||||
Montreal Canadiens at Tampa Bay Lightning SBG Odds Overview
At the onset of offshore betting for Game 2 is plenty of respect for the Lightning. Few gamblers want to step into Tampa Bay after such a dominant performance. Montreal earned a lot of respect for their performance in the first three rounds. It follows that Tampa Bay is at an entirely different level than the Canadiens’ previous three opponents. Tampa Bay’s expensive price tag is based on the public perception of Monday night. Further, the Bolts are in the Stanley Cup Final for the third time in seven seasons.
Montreal Canadiens Team Overview
Thus far in the postseason, Montreal ranks 3rd for goals against but 13th for goal scoring. Montreal ranks best in the 2021 NHL Playoffs for penalty killing but is 8th for power-play efficiency.
To be exact, goaltender Carey Price has sparked the Montreal playoff run. Price has a playoff save percentage of .928 with a 2.18 goals-against average. However, Price hasn’t done it alone. Montreal consistently checked better than any other team in the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs. It follows that they played clean and mistake-free games. Counter to that was a sloppy Monday night performance
Tampa Bay Lightning Team Overview
In the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Tampa Bay ranks 2nd for both goal scoring and goals against. Specifically, on the power play, the Lightning ranks 2nd best in the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Furthermore, the Bolts rank an impressive 4th for penalty killing.
Tampa Bay goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy doesn’t get the respect and love that Carey Price gets. Yet he is playing just as well. Vasilevskiy has a playoff save percentage of .936 with a 1.94 goals-against average.
Offensive firepower is where the Lighting separates themselves from Montreal. Right-wing Nikita Kucherov has seven goals with 23 assists and a +5. Accordingly, Kucherov scored two goals in Game 1. In like manner, center Brayden Points has 14 goals and nine assists with a +8. Tampa Bay captain and center Steven Stamkos brings eight goals and ten assists.
Montreal Canadiens at Tampa Bay Lightning SBG Free Picks
In this situation, the Canadiens face the stark reality of being up against a proven champion. Vegas may have been a big NHL betting favorite, but they were proven to be a paper tiger. Tampa Bay isn’t cheap, but that’s because they are the vastly superior team.
Canadiens at Lightning SBG Best Bet: Tampa Bay Lightning.