Montreal Canadiens vs Tampa Bay Lightning Prediction, 12/28/2022 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Montreal Canadiens vs Tampa Bay Lightning

Date: Wednesday, December 28, 2022

Location: Amalie Arena in Tampa, FL

TV: Bally Sports Sun

Odds/Point Spread: Canadiens (+290) Lightning (-350)

Amalie Arena is where the Tampa Bay Lightning (20-11-1) will go up against the Montreal Canadiens (15-16-3) on Wednesday. The moneyline on this contest has Montreal at +290 while Tampa Bay is sitting at -350. The over/under has been set at 6.

The Montreal Canadiens will need a bounce back game after taking a 4-2 loss to the Stars in their last outing. Montreal compiled 20 penalty minutes for this contest. The Canadiens had an offensive game that was below their expectations in the defeat. They also had 2 power play opportunities and were able to score 1 goal. While out there on the ice, they tallied a score on 2 out of the 24 shots they put on goal.

Get all of our NHL Expert Picks

While at even strength, the Canadiens let the opposition score 90 goals while notching 76 themselves. Montreal Canadiens opponents have totaled 123 power play tries (8th in the league) and have come away with 28 goals in those chances. With regard to their goal scoring prowess, the Montreal Canadiens have racked up 91 goals (26th in the league) on the season and have allowed 118. Montreal has tried 963 shots and holds a shooting percentage of 9.5%. For the year, they have tallied 33 points and their points percentage is sitting at .485. The Canadiens thus far have had 1,127 shots taken against them and have earned a save percentage of .895. Montreal comes into tonight with 105 power play opportunities and they have scored 15 goals out of those attempts, giving them a rate of 14.29%.

Protecting the goal for this matchup will be Jake Allen. Allen has participated in 376 games throughout his professional hockey career. He has earned a mark of 177-139-36 and he has started in 356 games. The opposition has been able to score 930 goals versus Allen in his pro hockey career and his average for goals against per game is 2.64. Allen has had 10,373 shots taken against him and has accrued 9,443 total saves. He has a save percentage of .910 for his 21,137 mins guarding the cage. For his career, Allen has tallied 189 quality starts and his rate for quality starts is .531.

In their last contest, Tampa Bay opposed the Red Wings in an outing where the Lightning ended up losing by a score of 7-4. They had 4 power play chances in this outing but weren't able to score a goal. The Lightning recorded 4 goals of the 38 shots on goal they pursued.

So far this season, the Tampa Bay Lightning have tallied 115 goals, 41 points, in addition to a points percentage of .641. They have permitted 96 goals to be scored by of a combination of 76 goals at even strength and 20 goals while they were shorthanded. The Lightning have scored 84 goals at even strength and 31 goals (5th in hockey) while on the power play. They have recorded 118 power play opportunities and they have earned a power play rate of 26.27%. Tampa Bay has attempted 1,005 shots (23rd in pro hockey) and has a shot percentage of 11.44%, while allowing their opponents 987 shots. They have a penalty kill percentage of 80.77% on their opponents 104 power play tries, and their save percentage sits at 90.3%.

For the opposition you are going to see Andrei Vasilevskiy in goal. Teams are averaging 2.50 goals/game and he has relinquished 950 goals overall. Vasilevskiy's percentage of quality starts comes in at 57.7% and he has accumulated 218 quality starts in his professional career. He has started in 378 games and has played 22,765 minutes. Vasilevskiy has earned a lifetime record of 242-110-25 and has been in net for 388 contests. He is sitting with 10,785 saves out of 11,735 shots taken against him, which gives him a rate of .919.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Montreal (+290)

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