Montreal Canadiens vs Tampa Bay Lightning Prediction, 3/2/2024 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Montreal Canadiens vs Tampa Bay Lightning

Date: Saturday, March 2, 2024

Location: Amalie Arena in Tampa, FL

TV: Bally Sports Sun

Odds/Point Spread: Canadiens (+185) Lightning (-230)

The Montreal Canadiens (23-28-9) are traveling to Amalie Arena on Saturday where they will take on the Tampa Bay Lightning (32-24-6). The line on this matchup has the Canadiens at +185 while the Lightning are coming in at -230. The betting total comes in at 7.

The Montreal Canadiens had a decent effort after finishing in a 3-3 tie against the Panthers their last time on the ice. Montreal garnered 12 penalty mins in this game. The Canadiens were neither impressive or disappointing offensively in this game. Additionally, they had 4 power play attempts and scored 1 goal. In the game, they scored on 3 of the 31 shots they put on net.

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Montreal Canadiens opponents have amassed 207 power play opportunities (3rd in hockey) and have a total of 54 goals in those chances. The Canadiens have had 2,003 shots tried against them and have a save percentage of .895. Montreal has attempted 1,698 shots and holds a shot percentage of 9.8%. When at even strength, the Canadiens have conceded 156 goals while scoring 128 on the offensive side of the ice. Montreal has accounted for 195 power play opportunities and they have tallied 38 goals out of those attempts, garnering them a rate of 19.49%. For the season, they have recorded 55 points and their points percentage sits at .458. Pertaining to scoring goals, the Montreal Canadiens have earned 166 goals (27th in pro hockey) on the year and have allowed 210.

The player between the pipes for this game is Sam Montembeault. Opponents have scored 415 goals against Montembeault in his pro hockey career and his goals against average is 3.41. Montembeault has taken the ice for 132 contests during his hockey career. His save percentage is at .898 for his 7,303 minutes guarding the cage. He has an overall record of 46-55-17 and he has started in 116 games. For his professional hockey career, Montembeault has compiled 60 quality starts and his percentage for quality starts is .517. Montembeault has had 4,057 shots taken against him and has gathered 3,642 saves.

The last time they were on the ice, Tampa Bay squared up with the Sabres in a matchup where the Lightning took the loss by a final score of 3-2. They had 3 power play opportunities in this outing and scored 1 out of those attempts. The Lightning recorded 2 goals out of the 23 shots on goal they were seeking.

The Lightning have accumulated 154 goals at even strength and 54 goals (1st in the league) while on the power play. Tampa Bay has attempted 1,828 shots (18th in professional hockey) and has a shot percentage of 11.38%, while allowing their opponents 1,832 shots. For the season, the Tampa Bay Lightning have a total of 208 goals, 70 points, in addition to a points percentage of .565. They have granted a total of 210 goals to be scored by way of 175 goals at even strength and 35 goals while they had less men on the ice. They have a tally of 186 power play opportunities and they have earned a power play rate of 29.03%. They have a penalty kill rate of 79.89% on their opponents 174 power play tries, and their save percentage comes in at 88.5%.

Across the rink you are going to see Andrei Vasilevskiy in the crease. Vasilevskiy has accrued a career record of 283-138-29 and has been in goal for 461 games. Vasilevskiy's percentage of quality starts sits at 56.8% and he has accumulated 256 quality starting assignments in his professional career. He has tallied 12,766 stops out of the 13,922 shots attempted, giving him a save % of .917. His opposition is averaging 2.56 goals per game and he has surrendered 1,156 goals overall. He was named a starter in 451 contests and has played 27,096 mins.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Montreal (+185)

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