The Montreal Canadiens (7-21-3) visit the Tampa Bay Lightning (20-6-4) Tuesday at Amalie Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Canadiens vs. Lightning odds and lines, and make our expert NHL picks, predictions and bets.
The Canadiens picked up a 3-2 victory in a shootout against the equally disappointing Philadelphia Flyers Dec. 16 before the pause and holiday break. Prior to that, Montreal was 0-6-1 in the previous seven outings.
The Lightning played more recently, winning at the Vegas Golden Knights 4-3 Dec. 21 before the break. Tampa, which has won three in a row, might get C Brayden Point after a 14-game absence due to an upper-body injury suffered Nov. 20. He practiced with his regular lines Monday.
However, Tampa Bay is without F Nikita Kucherov and D Erik Cernak due to lower-body issues, while forwards Anthony Cirelli and Pierre-Edouard Bellemare, defensemen Mikhail Sergachev and Andrej Sustr and goalies Andrei Vasilevskiy and Brian Elliott are in COVID-19 protocol along with head coach Jon Cooper.
Canadiens at Lightning odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:23 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Canadiens +220 (bet $100 to win $220) | Lightning -280 (bet $280 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Canadiens +1.5 (-115) | Lightning -1.5 (-107)
- Over/Under (O/U): 5.5 (O: -145 | U: +115)
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Canadiens at Lightning projected goalies
Cayden Primeau (1-2-0, 3.65 GAA, .904 SV%) vs. Amir Miftakhov (3-4-2, 2.65 GAA, .907 SV% at AHL Syracuse)
Primeau topped the Flyers prior to the two-week hiatus, stopping 37 of 39 shots. With G Jake Allen hitting the COVID protocol list, Primeau is the Habs’ best bet for the crease.
Miftakhov is one of three potential goaltenders from the minors who will be recalled. He has been sharp in the crease for the AHL’s Crunch. G Hugo Alnefelt and NHL veteran journeyman Maxime Lagace are also options for the short term while Vasilevskiy and Elliott are in isolation.
Canadiens at Lightning odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Canadiens 3, Lightning 2
Money line
The CANADIENS (+220) have been trash during the early portion of this season, and they have COVID-19 issues of their own with the veteran Allen on the shelf. But the goaltender edge goes to Primeau and the Habs over a minor-league backstop from Syracuse.
You can’t play the Lightning (-280) at nearly three times your potential return, that’s for sure.
Against the spread
The CANADIENS +1.5 (-115) are much less costly if you want a little insurance on the visitors.
Over/Under
UNDER 5.5 (+115) is a value play at plus-money as both sides are missing some gifted offensive players. Prior to the break, the Canadiens placed LW Mike Hoffman, LW Artturi Lehkonen and RW Tyler Toffoli on the reserve/COVID-19 list, and it’s uncertain if they’ll be ready to return for this contest.
Playing the Under with such untested goaltenders is a risky proposition, but we’ve already had over a week since either team has been in action, so expect rust.
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