Montreal Canadiens vs Tampa Bay Lightning Preview, 3/31/2026 NHL Predictions, Top Picks & Odds

Home » Montreal Canadiens vs Tampa Bay Lightning Preview, 3/31/2026 NHL Predictions, Top Picks & Odds

  • Matchup: Montreal Canadiens vs Tampa Bay Lightning
  • Date: Tuesday, March 31, 2026
  • Venue: Amalie Arena, Tampa, FL
  • Broadcast: WXPX-TV

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On Tuesday, Amalie Arena will host the exciting clash as the Tampa Bay Lightning (46-21-6) take on the Montreal Canadiens (42-21-10).

NHL predictions for Brendan Gallagher of the Montreal Canadiens

The Montreal Canadiens enter this contest with a positive outlook following a convincing 3-1 victory over the Hurricanes in their last game. Despite their win, the Canadiens’ offense was somewhat subdued, scoring on 3 out of 18 shots. They capitalized on 1 of 4 power play opportunities and accumulated 6 minutes in penalties.

When playing at even strength, the Canadiens have allowed 175 goals while netting 205 themselves. Their opponents have had 226 power play opportunities (6th in the NHL) and have scored 53 goals. This season, Montreal has tallied 256 goals (4th overall) but has conceded 228. They have taken a total of 1,935 shots, achieving a shooting percentage of 13.2%. With 94 points, their points percentage stands at .644. Defensively, Montreal has faced 2,022 shots and holds a save percentage of .887, while netting 51 goals out of 208 power play opportunities for a rate of 24.52%.

In net for the Canadiens will be Jakub Dobes, who has played 53 games throughout his NHL career with a record of 32-12-7, earning the start in 51 of those contests. He has surrendered 140 goals, resulting in a goals-against average of 2.75, and has made 1,303 saves from 1,443 shots faced. Dobes boasts a save percentage of .903 across 938 minutes of gameplay and has recorded 30 quality starts, achieving a quality start percentage of .588.

In their previous matchup, Tampa Bay triumphed over the Predators, winning 3-2. The Lightning scored 3 goals from 28 shots on target, but were unable to convert any of their 4 power play opportunities.

This season, Tampa Bay has taken 2,062 shots (16th in the league) and has a shooting percentage of 12.75%. They’ve allowed 1,964 shots against them and maintained a penalty kill percentage of 82.30% against 226 power plays. The Lightning’s current save percentage stands at 89.8%. Offensively, Tampa Bay has recorded 213 even-strength goals and 50 power play goals (10th in the NHL), totaling 263 goals this season with a standing of 98 points and a points percentage of .671.

In goal for the Lightning will be Andrei Vasilevskiy, who holds a career record of 366-175-39 over 591 games. Vasilevskiy has a quality start percentage of 58.7%, having achieved 341 quality starts. With 15,969 saves from 17,421 shots, he maintains a save percentage of .917. His opponents average 2.50 goals per game, and he has yielded a total of 1,452 goals in his career, playing 28,746 minutes in net.

Who will emerge victorious in tonight’s NHL showdown on the moneyline or against the spread?

Prediction: Pick Montreal

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Pick: Montreal Canadiens
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