Fifty years ago, the Canadiens stunned the hockey world with a surprise Stanley Cup. A raw rookie named Ken Dryden emerged in goal to backstop Montreal’s improbable run. Now another rookie, forward Cole Caufield, is sparking Les Canadiens to glory. Montreal shocked the hockey world by eliminating Vegas as massive NHL betting odds underdogs. Tampa Bay is the defending Stanley Cup champion. By contrast to Vegas, the Lightning is strong up the middle and in goal. Tampa Bay doesn’t crack under pressure as the Golden Knights did.
2021 Stanley Cup Final Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Montreal Canadiens Game 1
| Date and Time: | Monday, June 28, 8 p.m. ET |
|---|---|
| Location: | Amalie Arena, Tampa, Florida |
| TV Coverage: | NBCSN |
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canadiens | +1½ (-163) | 5 (-115) | +170 |  |
| Lightning | -1½ (+143) | 5 (-105) | -200 | |
| ||||
2021 Stanley Cup Final Schedule – Best of Seven
- Game 1: Monday, June 28, 8 p.m. ET, Amalie Arena, NBCSN
- Game 2: Wednesday, June 30, 8 p.m. ET, Amalie Arena, NBCSN
- Game 3: Friday, July 2, 8 p.m. ET, Molson Centre, NBC
- Game 4: Monday, July 5, 8 p.m. ET, Molson Centre, NBC
- Game 5: Wednesday, July 7, 8 p.m. ET, Amalie Arena, NBC *
- Game 6: Friday, July 9, 8 p.m. ET, Molson Centre, NBC *
- Game 7: Sunday, July 11, 7 p.m. ET, Amalie Arena, NBC *
*=if necessary
Montreal Canadiens vs. Tampa Bay Lightning SBG Odds Overview
Despite the high price on Tampa Bay, sharps still see the value. Cause by of the fact that the Lightning is the vastly deeper team offensively. Montreal will get some support as the large offshore betting underdog. But that is offset by the fact that the Lightning is a far more complete team than Vegas.
Montreal Canadiens Team Overview
Montreal is cranking cash with eight wins in their previous ten games. Over the total paid in just one of their most recent nine outings. So far in the playoffs, Montreal ranks 11th for goal scoring but third for goals allowed. On special teams, the Canadiens rank 7th for the power play and first for penalty killing.
Tampa Bay Lightning Team Overview
Late on, the Lightning paid in six of their most recent nine matchups. Tampa Bay cleared the total in only two of their last eight games. Special teams have made a difference in the playoffs for the Lightning. Tampa Bay ranks 4th for penalty killing and 2nd for power-play efficiency. In sum, the Bolts rank second in the playoffs for goals against and goal scoring. Tampa Bay is the most complete and disciplined team in the NHL.
Montreal Canadiens vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Betting Trends
- Tampa Bay is 6-3 in their last nine road games
- Only one of the Bolts’ previous 14 away games cleared the total
- The Lightning is 6-2 in their most recent eight home games
- Tampa Bay is 7-4 over the total at Amalie Arena
- Montreal is 5-1 in their most recent six home games
- Only one of the Habs’ last eight home games cleared the total
- Montreal is 6-1 in their previous seven away games
- Only three of their Canadiens’ last seven road tilts cleared the total
- Tampa Bay has won nine of their last ten games with Montreal
- Nine of the previous 12 in this series stayed under the total
- The Lighting have won six in a row when hosting the Canadiens
- Five of the last seven between these teams at Amalie Arena went under the total
- Tampa Bay paid in four of their most recent five visits to Montreal
- Five of the previous six in this series at Bell Centre stayed under the total
Montreal Canadiens vs. Tampa Bay Lightning SBG Free Picks
In this situation, Tampa Bay has two NHL betting assets that Vegas lacked against Montreal. Lightning goaltender Andre Vasilevskiy is equal to the Canadiens’ Carey Price. And center Brayden Point brings 14 goals so far in the playoffs. In comparison, the Golden Knights had no such center-ice weapon.
Canadiens vs. Lightning SBG Best Bet: Tampa Bay Lightning.