Montreal Canadiens vs Tampa Bay Lightning Prediction, 12/29/2024 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Montreal Canadiens vs Tampa Bay Lightning

Date: Sunday, December 29, 2024

Location: Amalie Arena in Tampa, FL

TV: WXPX-TV

Odds/Point Spread: Canadiens (+125) Lightning (-150)

Amalie Arena is the site where the Tampa Bay Lightning (19-11-2) will go up against the Montreal Canadiens (14-17-3) on Sunday. The odds on this game have the Canadiens at +125 while the Lightning are coming in at -150. The total comes in at 6.

The Montreal Canadiens had a rough game after their 5-4 defeat against the Blue Jackets in their previous outing. Montreal accrued 6 penalty minutes in this game. Additionally, they had 2 power play opportunities but didn't convert them into a score. The Canadiens had a great offensive game plan going into this one and it showed in the loss. For the game, they converted 4 of the 31 shots they attempted.

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When it comes to scoring goals, the Montreal Canadiens have accumulated 100 goals (23rd in pro hockey) this year and have conceded 122. For the season, they sit with 31 points and their points percentage sits at .456. Montreal comes into tonight with 109 power play opportunities and they have notched 24 goals out of those advantages, earning them a percentage of 22.02%. While playing at even strength, the Canadiens have surrendered 100 goals while notching 76 when they are on offense. Montreal has tried 843 shots and has a shooting percentage of 11.9%. The Canadiens thus far have had 999 shots taken against them and have a save percentage of .878. Montreal Canadiens opponents have earned 122 power play opportunities (3rd in the NHL) and have scored 22 goals in those attempts.

Patrolling the crease for the game will be Sam Montembeault. Over the course of his time in hockey, Montembeault has accumulated 82 quality starts and his percentage for quality starts is .529. His save percentage currently sits at .898 for his 8,060 mins in the crease. Montembeault has had 5,156 shot attempts against him and has recorded 4,631 saves. Opponents have tallied 525 goals against Montembeault in his pro hockey career and his goals against rate is 3.91. He has an overall mark of 61-74-23 and he was named the starter in 155 games. Montembeault has been involved in 172 matchups over the course of his professional hockey career.

Their last time out, Tampa Bay went up against the Panthers in a game where the Lightning got the victory by a final score of 4-0. They had 3 power play chances in this contest and notched 1 out of those chances. The Lightning earned 4 goals out of the 29 shots on goal they took.

Tampa Bay has tried 903 shots (28th in professional hockey) and has earned a shot percentage of 13.95%, while allowing their opponents 898 shots. They have accumulated a penalty kill percentage of 80.22% on their opponents 91 power play tries, and their save percentage comes in at 90.1%. They have a total of 96 power play opportunities and they have earned a power play rate of 27.08%. The Lightning have scored 100 goals at even strength and 26 goals (7th in the league) while on the power play. They have granted a total of 89 goals to be scored by way of 71 goals at even strength and 18 goals while they had less men on the ice. During this campaign, the Tampa Bay Lightning are sitting with 126 goals, 40 points, in addition to a points percentage of .625.

For the opposition you are likely to see Andrei Vasilevskiy in the crease. His opponents are averaging 2.69 goals/game and he has allowed 1,260 goals altogether. Vasilevskiy's percentage of quality starts sits at 56.8% and he has qualified for 280 quality starts in his pro career. He has made the start in 493 contests and has been on the ice for 28,111 mins. Vasilevskiy has compiled a career mark of 308-153-31 and has been in net for 503 games. He is sitting with 13,808 saves out of the 15,068 shots tried, which gives him a percentage of .916.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Montreal (+125)

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