Montreal Canadiens vs Tampa Bay Lightning Prediction, 4/19/2026 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Montreal Canadiens vs Tampa Bay Lightning

Date: Sunday, April 19, 2026

Location: Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, FL

TV: TNT

Odds/Point Spread: Canadiens (+154) Lightning (-185)

The Montreal Canadiens (48-24-10) are traveling to Benchmark International Arena on Sunday where they will meet the Tampa Bay Lightning (50-26-6) in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Playoffs. The line on this contest has Montreal at +154 while Tampa Bay opens at -185. The over/under is set at 6.5.

The Montreal Canadiens will be looking to get a win in their next outing after their 4-2 loss to the Flyers in their previous contest . Montreal garnered 4 penalty minutes in this game. In addition, they had 3 chances on the power play but weren't able to net one. The Canadiens didn't have a great showing offensively in the defeat. In the game, they converted 2 out of the 29 shots they attempted.

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In terms of their scoring capabilities, the Montreal Canadiens have accumulated 279 goals (7th in the league) over the course of the season and have given up 251. For the current campaign, they have tallied 106 points and their points % is .646. Montreal has accounted for 242 power play opportunities and they have notched 56 goals out of those attempts, earning them a percentage of 23.14%. At even strength, the Canadiens have given up 197 goals while earning 223 on offense. Montreal has tried 2,156 shots and is the owner of a shot percentage of 12.9%. The Canadiens have had 2,283 shots taken against them and have earned a save percentage of .890. Montreal Canadiens opponents have tallied 248 power play opportunities (8th in the league) and have come away with 54 goals in those chances.

The player between the pipes for this game is Jakub Dobes. For his professional hockey career, Dobes has accrued 35 quality starts and his quality starts percentage sits at .614. He has a save percentage of .904 in his 953 mins between the pipes. Dobes has had 1,627 shots against him and has garnered 1,470 saves. Opponents have scored 157 goals against Dobes in his professional career and his average for goals against per game is 2.75. He has a record of 36-14-7 and was named the starter in 57 games. Dobes has participated in 59 games throughout his NHL career.

When they were on the ice last, Tampa Bay opposed the Rangers in an outing where the Lightning took a loss by a final of 4-2. They had 3 power play opportunities in this outing but weren't able to put one in the back of the net. The Lightning converted 2 goals out of the 31 shots on goal they took.

Tampa Bay has taken 2,305 shots (15th in hockey) and has accumulated a shooting percentage of 12.41%, while allowing the other team 2,188 shots. They have a penalty kill rate of 82.56% on their oppositions 258 chances on the power play, and their save percentage sits at 89.5%. They have earned 246 power play chances and they have earned a power play percentage of 20.73%. The Lightning have tallied 235 goals at even strength and 51 goals (15th in the NHL) while on the power play. They have allowed 229 goals to be scored by of a combination of 184 goals at even strength and 45 goals while they had less men on the ice. For the year, the Tampa Bay Lightning have tallied 286 goals, 106 points, as well as a points percentage of .646.

On the other side of the ice you are likely to see Andrei Vasilevskiy in the crease. Vasilevskiy is sitting with a career mark of 370-178-39 and has participated in 598 contests. Vasilevskiy's quality start rate is 59.2% and he has qualified for 348 quality starting assignments in his pro career. He has tallied 16,122 stops out of the 17,589 shots tried, giving him a save percentage of .917. His opposition is averaging 2.49 goals per contest and he has relinquished 1,467 goals altogether. He has started in 588 games and has played 28,763 minutes.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Guy's Pick: Take Tampa Bay (-185)

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