Montreal Canadiens vs Tampa Bay Lightning Betting Pick & Prediction for Game 5 on 4/29

bangthebook nhl game preview

The Montreal Canadiens and Tampa Bay Lightning face off in Game 5 of their NHL playoff series. The series is tied 2-2, making this game crucial for both teams. They will play at the Benchmark International Arena on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at 7:00 PM.

Montreal, coached by Martin St. Louis, has a postseason record of 2-2. Their last game ended in a loss, giving them a current streak of L1. Tampa Bay, led by Jon Cooper, also has a 2-2 record in the postseason. They won their last game, putting them on a W1 streak. The game will be broadcast on ESPN2.

Canadiens vs Lightning Game Day Info

  • Sport: NHL
  • Teams: Montreal Canadiens vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
  • Venue: Benchmark International Arena
  • Date: Wednesday, April 29, 2026
  • Betting Odds:
    • Montreal Canadiens Puck Line: +1.5 (-180)
    • Tampa Bay Lightning Puck Line: -1.5 (+148)
    • Montreal Canadiens MoneyLine: +146
    • Tampa Bay Lightning MoneyLine: -171
    • Over/Under: 5.5 (Over -121, Under +100)

Montreal Canadiens Team Preview

The Montreal Canadiens have shown mixed results in their recent games. They won against the Tampa Bay Lightning on April 24, 2026, with a score of 3-2. However, they lost the games on April 26 and April 21, both by a score of 2-3.

In the postseason, the Canadiens have scored 11 goals, placing them 6th overall. They have also been strong in hits with 171, ranking 5th. Their power play has been effective with 5 goals, ranking 3rd.

Key players for the Canadiens include Juraj Slafkovsky, who has 3 goals. Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki have been important with their assists, contributing to the team’s success. Goalie Jakub Dobes has 83 saves in the postseason.

Tampa Bay Lightning Team Preview

The Tampa Bay Lightning had a mixed postseason start. They won two out of four games against the Montreal Canadiens. In their latest game, they won 3-2, taking 20 shots on goal.

Brandon Hagel leads the team with six goals in four games. Jake Guentzel and Nikita Kucherov also contribute to the offense. Guentzel has seven points, while Kucherov has six points so far.

The Lightning have shown strength in their power play, scoring four goals. They rank first in takeaways with 25. Andrei Vasilevskiy is the starting goalie, with 82 saves and 11 goals against in the postseason.

BTB Betting Pick

The Tampa Bay Lightning are favored to win against the Montreal Canadiens with a moneyline of -171. Both teams have scored 11 goals in the postseason, but Tampa Bay has more takeaways and fewer giveaways. The Lightning have a strong chance to win, especially since they are playing at home. The projected score is Tampa Bay 3, Montreal 2.

The over/under for the game is set at 5.5 goals, with the over at -121 and the under at +100. Both teams have allowed 11 goals in the postseason, suggesting a close game. With neither team having a shutout, the projected total of 5 goals leans towards taking the under. The recommended pick is under 5.5 goals.