Canadiens vs. Lightning: NHL Best Bets, Picks & Predictions (Wednesday)

Tonight’s NHL slate sees ten teams take the ice, and one game in particular sticks out on the schedule: Canadiens vs. Lightning.

Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook

NHL Odds, Picks & Predictions: Canadiens vs. Lightning

The Bolts come out of the break with a three-game homestand where they’ll host the Canadiens, Rangers, and finish with the Coyotes on New Year’s Eve. They’ve been playing well this season, and their 41 points see them with a comfortable lock on third place in the Atlantic. The Canadiens have dropped off a bit and enter tonight’s game in last place in the division with 33 points. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. ET from Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida.

Montreal has won just one out of their last six games, a 3-2 overtime victory against the lowly Coyotes on the 19th. Over the six-game sample, the Habs are averaging just 1.83 goals per game. That figure is down from their season mark of 2.7 goals per game, which represents the 28th-best offense in the league. 

Goals won’t come any easier tonight, as the Canadiens will likely be running into one-time Vezina-winning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy. The Russian-born netminder has been excellent this season, posting a 13-9-1 record to go along with a 2.53 GAA and .917 SV%. I like for Tampa to stifle this Montreal offense and stretch their lead out by multiple goals. Give me the Bolts on the puck line. 

Bet: Tampa Bay Lightning -1.5 (-140)

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