Montreal Canadiens vs Tampa Bay Lightning Prediction: Moneyline, Props & SGP (Apr 19)
Calendar icon Updated 17 Apr 13:45

Montreal Canadiens vs Tampa Bay Lightning Prediction: Moneyline, Props & SGP (Apr 19)

Juan Pablo Aravena Juan Pablo Aravena
Moneyline PickTampa Bay Lightning
Player PropNikita Kucherov over 0.5 goals
Same Game ParlayUnder 5.5 goals + Nikita Kucherov over 0.5 points + Nick Suzuki over 0.5 points
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Montreal Canadiens vs Tampa Bay Lightning Main Match Info

Montreal Canadiens vs Tampa Bay Lightning Moneyline Prediction

The Lightning and the Canadiens finished the 2025-26 NHL regular season tied on points with 106 each, though their paths to that total differed considerably.

Tampa Bay posted a W50, L26, OT6 record, finishing third in the Eastern Conference, and built their success through a balanced scheme. They ranked third in goals scored (290) and led the conference defensively with 231 goals allowed.

Meanwhile, the Canadiens ranked fourth in the East with a W48, L24, OT10 record. While they recorded fewer regulation wins, they picked up more overtime results to reach the same points total.

The Canadiens’ season was driven heavily by their offence, ranked fifth in the East and led by Cole Caufield (51 goals, the second-highest total in the NHL) and Nick Suzuki, who finished sixth in the league in total points (101).

However, offence rarely wins games in the NHL Playoffs, as defensive reliability and special teams typically prove decisive.

Home-ice advantage will also play a role. The Lightning went W26, L14, OT1 at home in the regular season. Even though the Canadiens, who went W24, L9, OT8 on the road, are likely to put up a fight, expect the Bolts to come out on top in this series opener.

Montreal Canadiens vs Tampa Bay Lightning Player Prop

If the Lightning are to take Game 1, they’ll need their best players to be in top form. It’s no secret that Tampa Bay’s offence lives and dies with what Nikita Kucherov brings to the table.

The star winger ranked second in the NHL in points during the regular season with 130, producing 44 goals and 86 assists, and should be the focal point of their loaded attack.

Kucherov also has an excellent record against Montreal, with eight goals, seven assists, and a plus-minus of +3 in his last 10 games against the Canadiens.

Montreal Canadiens vs Tampa Bay Lightning Same Game Parlay

Our three-leg parlay points toward a relatively low-scoring encounter, which aligns with typical playoff trends.

On that note, the Lightning allowed just 2.79 goals per game, the third-best mark in the league, while the Canadiens ranked 16th with 3.06 goals conceded.

Even if this turns into a low-scoring meeting, we expect the elite scoring weapons on both sides to step up – mainly Kucherov and Suzuki, as both should find a way to crack the scoresheet.

Kucherov ranked second in the NHL in points with 130, while Suzuki was sixth among all players with 101. Only eight players recorded at least 100 points in the regular season.

Montreal Canadiens vs Tampa Bay Lightning Team News

Montreal Canadiens Team News

The Canadiens are quite close to full strength and won’t be missing any key players for this series opener. That said, defencemen Alexandre Carrier and Noah Dobson are dealing with upper-body injuries, and both remain questionable for Game 1.

Carrier is day-to-day and has a chance to play on Sunday.

As for Dobson, he’s slated to return before the end of the month. Game 1 might come too soon for him, but he’s expected back sooner rather than later.

The same can’t be said about forward Patrik Laine, who’s on the IR with an abdominal injury and has yet to be cleared to play.

Tampa Bay Lightning Team News

The Lightning rested several key players for their final game of the regular season, a 4-2 loss to the New York Rangers, but most of their key players should return here. Brayden Point, Anthony Cirelli, and Jake Guentzel are all going to be available after sitting out Wednesday’s contest.

As for injuries, Victor Hedman (personal) and Dominic James (leg) are the only concerns. While the veteran defenceman has a real shot at returning for this series opener, James is not expected back until later in the playoffs. If he doesn’t suffer any setbacks, he could return to the ice before the end of the month.

Montreal Canadiens vs Tampa Bay Lightning: Where to Watch (Canada)

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