Montreal Canadiens vs Tampa Bay Lightning Betting Pick & Prediction 12/29/24

The Canadiens and Lightning are set to face off at 5:00 ET on ESPN+. The Lightning will host the game at Amalie Arena in Tampa, FL. The over/under for this matchup is currently set at 6.5 goals and the Lightning are the -1.5 favorite to win at home vs. the Canadiens.

MONTREAL CANADIENS VS TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING BETTING PICK

The Pick: Tampa Bay Lightning -1.5

This game will be played at Amalie Arena at 5:00 ET on Sunday, December 29th.

WHY BET THE TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING:

• In spite of being 1.5 goal underdogs, we anticipate the Canadiens winning this one 4-3.
• We like the Canadiens on the moneyline (+212)
• The Canadiens are also our pick on the spread at +1.5

Is a Road Win Possible for Montreal?

With a 3-1 loss to the Penguins, the Canadiens now sit at 15-17-3. Montreal entered the game as underdogs on the puck line, and the total was set at 6.5 goals, but the combined 4 goals fell short of that number.

Montreal’s only goal came in the third period, after the Penguins had already scored twice. The Penguins added an empty-netter to seal the win. Christian Dvorak scored for the Canadiens, finding the net at 14:28 in the third period.

Montreal’s offense managed just one goal in their recent 3-1 loss to Pittsburgh. Christian Dvorak netted his first goal of the season, while Emil Heineman picked up his first assist and Juraj Slafkovsky added his 7th assist.

The Canadiens fired 26 shots on goal but were held scoreless until the third period. They also recorded 20 giveaways in the game.

Defensively, the Canadiens will look to bounce back after allowing the first two goals in their last game and a late empty-netter. They gave up the opening goal at 15:57 of the first period and another at 18:40 in the second. Sam Montembeault made 21 saves with a 91.3% save percentage, while Montreal’s defense recorded 4 takeaways and 28 hits.

Are the Lightning Ready for a Home Win?

Tampa Bay’s 7-4 loss to the Jets moved their record to 20-11-2. The Lightning held a 2-0 lead early, but Winnipeg scored 7 of the next 9 goals. Tampa Bay entered the game as underdogs on the puck line, and the total of 11 goals easily surpassed the pre-game line of 6.5.

All four of Tampa Bay’s goals came from different players. The Lightning scored the first two goals of the game, but the Jets responded with two unanswered goals to tie it up. Tampa Bay briefly tied the game at 4-4 in the third period, but Winnipeg pulled away with three more goals, including two empty-netters.

Brandon Hagel opened the scoring for Tampa Bay, netting his 7th goal of the season, while Brayden Point followed with his 8th, which came on a power play. Mitchell Chaffee added his 4th goal, and Nikita Kucherov, who now has 10 goals this season, scored the Lightning’s final goal of the game.

The Lightning took 30 shots on goal and recorded 8 giveaways. They scored twice in the 1st period, added another in the 2nd, and tied the game 4-4 in the 3rd on Kucherov’s unassisted goal.

Defensively, Tampa Bay struggled late, giving up the final three goals in their 7-4 loss to the Jets. After tying the game at 4-4 in the 3rd period, the Lightning allowed a goal at the 7:38 mark, followed by two empty-netters. Goalie Jonas Johansson finished with 27 saves and an 84.4% save percentage. Tampa Bay’s defense also recorded 6 takeaways and 16 hits.