Tampa Bay Lightning vs Montreal Canadiens Insights, 5/1/2026 NHL Choices, Top Bets & Odds

Home » Tampa Bay Lightning vs Montreal Canadiens Insights, 5/1/2026 NHL Choices, Top Bets & Odds

  • Matchup: Tampa Bay Lightning vs Montreal Canadiens
  • Date: Friday, May 1, 2026
  • Venue: Bell Centre, Montreal, QC
  • Broadcast: ESPN2
  • Betting Odds: Lightning (-115) Canadiens (-105)

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The Montreal Canadiens (48-24-10) are set to host the Tampa Bay Lightning (50-26-6) at the Bell Centre on Friday for Game 6 of their series, with Montreal leading 3-2. The current moneyline stands with Tampa Bay at -115 and Montreal at -105, while the total points are projected at 5.5.

Nikita Kucherov NHL predictions and odds for Tampa Bay Lightning

In their previous outing, the Tampa Bay Lightning faced a 3-2 defeat to the Canadiens in Game 5. Struggling offensively, they managed to score only 2 goals from 40 shots taken. The team also had 3 power play opportunities but failed to capitalize, accumulating a total of 6 penalty minutes in the process.

At even strength, the Lightning have allowed 184 goals while scoring 235 themselves. Tampa Bay’s opponents have produced 258 power play opportunities (ranking 3rd in the league), converting 45 of them into goals. This season, the Tampa Bay Lightning have scored 286 goals (4th in the league) while conceding 229. With 2,305 shots attempted, they boast a shooting percentage of 12.4%. Overall, they have secured 106 points, resulting in a points percentage of .646. Defensively, they’ve faced 2,188 shots against, achieving a save percentage of .895. Tampa Bay has also seen 246 power play chances, converting 51, leading to a success rate of 20.73%.

Andrei Vasilevskiy will be in goal for the Lightning this evening. Throughout his career, he has conceded 1,467 goals with a goals-against average of 2.49 per game. Vasilevskiy has played 598 games, maintaining a save percentage of .917 over 28,763 minutes in net. His record includes 370 wins, 178 losses, and 39 ties, with 588 games as a starter. Vasilevskiy has achieved 348 quality starts with a quality start percentage of .592. He has faced 17,589 shots, making 16,122 saves.

The Canadiens narrowly clinched a victory in Game 5, netting 3 goals from 24 shots. They failed to convert on 2 power play opportunities in the game.

This season, the Montreal Canadiens have scored 279 goals, earning 106 points for a points percentage of .646. They have allowed 251 goals, with 197 scored at even strength and 54 while shorthanded. The Canadiens have achieved 223 goals at even strength and 56 goals on the power play (ranking 7th in the league). They have been awarded 242 power play opportunities, resulting in a success rate of 23.14%. With 2,156 shots taken (24th in the league), their shooting percentage stands at 12.94%, while allowing 2,283 shots against. They hold a penalty kill rate of 78.23% against opponents’ 248 power play chances, with a save percentage of 89.0%.

Jakub Dobes will defend the net for Montreal. He has surrendered an average of 2.75 goals per game, totaling 157 goals against. With a quality start rate of 61.4%, Dobes has earned 35 quality starts in his NHL career. He has started in 57 games, with an ice time spanning 953 minutes. Dobes carries a career record of 36-14-7, having participated in 59 games, with 1,470 saves out of 1,627 shots, leading to a save percentage of .904.

Who will emerge victorious tonight, beating the spread or moneyline?

Recommendation: Bet on Tampa Bay (-115)

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Pick: Tampa Bay Lightning (-115)
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