At the onset of the week, the Lightning is in the driver’s seat for the 2021 Stanley Cup championship. Tampa Bay jumped out to a 3-0 series lead. As a result, the Lightning can clinch the series with one more NHL betting odds win. Montreal can only win the Stanley Cup by beating Tampa Bay in four consecutive games. Tampa Bay has struck a dominant pose in the series. Montreal is an upstart that nobody saw getting this far. Hence, midnight does seem to be approaching for Cinderella. Tampa Bay goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy is outplaying counterpart Carey Price.
2021 Stanley Cup Final Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Montreal Canadiens
| Date and Time: | Monday, July 5, 8 p.m. |
|---|---|
| Location: | Bell Centre, Montreal Quebec |
| Lightning vs. Canadiens TV Coverage: | NBC |
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lightning | -1½ (+168) | 5 (-130) | -155 |  |
| Canadiens | +1½ (-195) | 5 (+110) | +135 | |
| ||||
2021 Stanley Cup Final Schedule – All Times Eastern
All Games Televised on NBC
Game 4: Monday, July 5, Bell Centre, Montreal, Quebec, 8 p.m.
Game 5: Wednesday, July 7, Amalie Arena, Tampa, FL, 8 p.m.*
Game 6: Friday, July 9, Bell Centre, Montreal, Quebec 8 p.m.*
Game 7: Sunday, July 11, Amalie Arena, Tampa, FL, 7 p.m.*
*=if necessary
2021 Stanley Cup Final SBG Odds Overview
In this situation, gamblers are not buying that the Canadiens have much of a chance at a miracle. Tampa Bay takes a 3-0 offshore bookmaker lead into the week. Thus, the Lighting needs just one more win in this best of seven series to clinch. For those that doubted the Canadiens, this series has been vindication. Tampa Bay has completely outclassed Montreal.
Of course, the Tampa Bay price is outrageous. But what else could one reasonably expect? When a defending Stanley Cup champion is up 3-0 on a longshot, it stands to figure the public will come along for the ride. To many casual gamblers, the Bolts seem like “free money.” While there is no such thing, particularly in hockey, an outgunned Montreal club faces long odds and longer chances.
Tampa Bay Lightning Team Overview
At the beginning of the series, all of the hype was about Canadiens goaltender Carey Price. And there was plenty of justification for that. However, those that overlooked Tampa Bay goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy are guilty of gross oversight. Vasilevskiy backstopped the Bolts to their 2020 Stanley Cup championship. Further, he was rock solid in the regular season with a .925 save percentage. In the playoffs, he’s been an utter wall with a .938 save percentage and four shutouts. Center Brayden Point has generated most of the offense with 14 goals, nine assists, and a +7.
Montreal Canadiens Team Overview
Although goalie Carey Price gets the headlines, Montreal got to the 2021 Stanley Cup Final with a team effort. In particular, the entire team made a full defensive buy-in. Montreal used defense, structure, and discipline to make their Cinderella run. Following such perfect play in the first three rounds, the Canadiens have fallen apart. Tampa Bay is forcing them into mistakes that Montreal wasn’t making in the first three rounds of the postseason.
2021 Stanley Cup Final SBG Free Picks
A clear difference is apparent between these two teams. Montreal is totally outclassed. Tampa Bay is at another level from any other team the Canadiens have faced. It is true that the NHL betting price is high. But Tampa Bay looks unbeatable.
2021 Stanley Cup Final SBG Best Bet: Tampa Bay Lightning.