Tampa Bay Lightning vs Montreal Canadiens Prediction, 4/24/2026 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Tampa Bay Lightning vs Montreal Canadiens

Date: Friday, April 24, 2026

Location: Bell Centre in Montreal, QC

TV: TNT

Odds/Point Spread: Lightning (-122) Canadiens (+102)

The Montreal Canadiens (48-24-10) will try to defeat the Tampa Bay Lightning (50-26-6) at Bell Centre on Friday in Game 3 of their series. The series is tied 1-1. The line on this matchup has the Lightning at -122 while the Canadiens are opening at +102. The total comes in at 5.5.

The Tampa Bay Lightning were on the right side of the scoreboard with a 3-2 victory over the Canadiens in Game 2. The Lightning had a middle of the road offensive outing in this victory. For the matchup, they finished 3 of the 34 shots they attempted. Moreover, they had 3 power play chances but weren't able to score a goal. Tampa Bay amassed 27 penalty minutes in this contest.

Get all of our Free NHL Picks

Tampa Bay Lightning opponents have totaled 258 power play opportunities (3rd in the NHL) and have notched 45 goals in those attempts. The Lightning thus far have had 2,188 shots attempted against them and have a save percentage of .895. Tampa Bay has taken 2,305 shots and holds a shot percentage of 12.4%. When at even strength, the Lightning have allowed the opponent to score 184 goals while notching 235 on offense. Tampa Bay is sitting with 246 power play opportunities and they have notched 51 goals out of those attempts, garnering them a percentage of 20.73%. For the current campaign, they have earned 106 points and their points percentage sits at .646. Regarding their scoring, the Tampa Bay Lightning have accumulated 286 goals (4th in the league) over the course of the season and have given up 229.

The man in net for this game is Andrei Vasilevskiy. Opponents have racked up 1,467 goals against Vasilevskiy in his NHL career and his goals against rate is 2.49. Vasilevskiy has been involved in 598 matchups over the course of his pro hockey career. He has a save percentage of .917 in his 28,763 minutes between the pipes. He has compiled a win-loss mark of 370-178-39 and he has gotten the start in 588 games. In his professional hockey career, Vasilevskiy has compiled 348 quality starts and his percentage for quality starts is .592. Vasilevskiy has had 17,589 shots taken against him and has recorded 16,122 total saves.

Montreal will look to clean up a few issues after their Game 2 loss. They had 4 power play opportunities in this matchup and scored 1 out of those chances. The Canadiens tallied 2 goals of the 27 shots on goal they attempted.

Montreal has taken 2,156 shots (24th in professional hockey) and has earned a shooting percentage of 12.94%, while allowing the opposition 2,283 shots. They have recorded a penalty kill percentage of 78.23% on the other teams 248 power play chances, and their save percentage currently comes in at 89.0%. They have earned 242 power play opportunities and they have a power play percentage of 23.14%. The Canadiens have scored 223 goals at even strength and 56 goals (7th in the NHL) while having a power play advantage. They have permitted 251 goals to be scored by of a combination of 197 goals at even strength and 54 goals while they had less men on the ice. For the season, the Montreal Canadiens have accumulated 279 goals, 106 points, in addition to a points percentage of .646.

On the other side of the ice you will find Jakub Dobes in the crease. Dobes has amassed a career mark of 36-14-7 and has been in net for 59 games. Dobes' percentage of quality starts is 61.4% and he has accumulated 35 quality starts in his pro career. He has accounted for 1,470 stops out of the 1,627 shots taken, which gives him a save % of .904. His opposition is averaging 2.75 goals/game and he has surrendered 157 goals altogether. He has been a starter 57 games and his ice time sits at 953 mins.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Tampa Bay (-122)

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Get NHL picks on every single game, or if you want our very best bets by the experts, sign up for your free $60 account with a guarantee.