Montreal Canadiens vs Tampa Bay Lightning Prediction, 12/31/2023 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Montreal Canadiens vs Tampa Bay Lightning

Date: Sunday, December 31, 2023

Location: Amalie Arena in Tampa, FL

TV: Bally Sports Sun

The Montreal Canadiens (15-14-5) are en route to Amalie Arena on Sunday where they will attempt to defeat the Tampa Bay Lightning (17-14-5).

The Montreal Canadiens will be looking to get a win in their next outing after their 5-3 loss to the Hurricanes in their previous game. Montreal had 6 mins in the box in this game. The Canadiens were neither impressive or disappointing offensively in the defeat. Furthermore, they had 4 attempts on the power play and notched 1 goal. In the matchup, they converted 3 out of the 21 shots they put on goal.

While at even strength, the Canadiens let the opposition score 82 goals while getting 73 on offense. Montreal Canadiens opponents have 118 power play opportunities (7th in pro hockey) and have a total of 32 goals in those attempts. In reference to scoring goals, the Montreal Canadiens have notched 95 goals (28th in hockey) so far this season and have allowed 114. Montreal has taken 986 shots and holds a shot percentage of 9.6%. For the current campaign, they have racked up 35 points and their points percentage sits at .515. The Canadiens thus far have had 1,140 shots attempted against them and have earned a save percentage of .900. Montreal comes into tonight with 123 power play opportunities and they have notched 22 goals during those advantages, garnering them a rate of 17.89%.

The player in the crease for this game is Sam Montembeault. Opponents have notched 367 goals versus Montembeault in his pro career and his goals against average per game is 3.40. Montembeault has been involved in 118 contests during his NHL career. His save percentage currently is at .897 in his 6,471 mins in the crease. He has a mark of 40-49-15 and got the start in 102 games. In his career, Montembeault has 50 quality starts and his rate for quality starts is .490. Montembeault has had 3,570 shots against him and has amassed 3,203 total saves.

Their last time out, Tampa Bay played the Panthers in a matchup where the Lightning took a loss by a tally of 3-2. They had 3 power play opportunities in this contest but weren't able to score a goal. The Lightning scored 2 goals of the 29 shots on goal they tried.

So far this season, the Tampa Bay Lightning have accounted for 119 goals, 39 points, as well as a points percentage of .542. They have granted a total of 123 goals to be scored by way of 102 goals at even strength and 21 goals while they had less men on the ice. The Lightning have earned 85 goals at even strength and 34 goals (1st in hockey) while having a power play advantage. They have recorded 115 opportunities on the power play and they have a power play rate of 29.57%. Tampa Bay has taken 1,092 shots (8th in hockey) and has a shooting percentage of 10.90%, while allowing the opposition 1,121 shots. They have recorded a penalty kill percentage of 80.19% on their opponents 106 tries on the power play, and their save percentage is currently 89.0%.

Across the rink you are likely to see Andrei Vasilevskiy defending the goal. Vasilevskiy holds a career mark of 271-129-28 and has participated in 439 contests. Vasilevskiy's quality start percentage comes out to 57.1% and he has made 245 quality starting assignments in his NHL career. He has tallied 12,235 saves out of 13,324 shots taken, which gives him a rate of .918. His opponents are averaging 2.53 goals/game and he has given up 1,089 goals in total. He has made the start in 429 games and his ice time sits at 25,807 minutes.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Montreal

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