The Montreal Canadiens and Tampa Bay Lightning play Game 1 of their Stanley Cup Final series Monday. Puck drop is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET at Amalie Arena. Below, we analyze the Canadiens vs. Lightning Stanley Cup Final Game 1 odds and lines, with NHL picks and predictions.
The Canadiens stunned the hockey world by winning a third straight postseason series, defeating the heavily-favored Vegas Golden Knights in six games. Les Habitants have won 11 of their last 13 postseason games.
The Lightning fought off the New York Islanders in seven games, with five of the games decided by one goal. They have won six of their last eight postseason games at home.
Also see: 2021 Stanley Cup Final series odds
Canadiens at Lightning: Odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:52 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Canadiens +165 (bet $100 to win $165) | Lightning -200 (bet $200 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Canadiens +1.5 (-165) | Lightning -1.5 (+135)
- Over/Under: 5 (O: -120 | U: +100)
Canadiens at Lightning: Projected starting goalies
Carey Price (12-7-5, 2.64 GAA, .901 SV%, 1 SO) vs. Andrei Vasilevskiy (31-10-1, 2.21 GAA, .925 SV%, 5 SO). Stats from regular season.
Price has been ridiculous in the postseason, rolling up a 12-5-0 record, 2.02 GAA and .934 SV% with 1 shutout across 17 playoff games. He is the odds-on favorite to win the Conn Smythe Trophy if the Habs go on to win the Stanley Cup.
Vasilevskiy has posted a 12-6-0 record, 1.99 GAA and .936 SV% with 4 shutouts in 18 playoff games. That includes an 18-save shutout Friday in Game 7 against the Islanders.
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Canadiens at Lightning: Odds, lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Lightning 3, Canadiens 1
Money line (ML)
The Lightning (-200) are big favorites to win Game 1 but risking two times your potential return just isn’t a good betting strategy over the long term.
AVOID, and look to the puck line instead.
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Against the spread (ATS)
The LIGHTNING -1.5 (+135) are a decent play on the puck line, although it very well could take an empty-net goal to get over the hump in the series opener. Price has been super tough in these playoffs, so Tampa’s offense will have its work cut out.
Over/Under (O/U)
UNDER 5 (+100) is a decent play at plus money. The offenses will take a little while to get going in the series as both goaltenders have been red-hot.
You can expect these teams to perhaps play a scoreless first period as they feel each other out. UNDER 1.5 GOALS FOR THE FIRST PERIOD (-155) is an attractive side wager.
Want some action on this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.
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