The Tampa Bay Lightning struck first in the 2021 Stanley Cup Finals, as they dominated the Montreal Canadiens in Game 1. Will the Habs rebound? Or will the Bolts come up with another victory before the series goes to Montreal? Check out our preview of this game below.
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Betting Preview for the Montreal Canadiens vs Tampa Bay Lightning 2021 Stanley Cup Finals Game 2 on June 30, 2021
Where: Amalie Arena, Tampa
When: Wednesday, June 30, 2021, 8:00 PM ET
Line: Montreal Canadiens (odds) vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (odds) – view all 2020-21 NHL lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN
Betting on the Montreal Canadiens (odds)
Regular Season Record: 24-21-1
The Habs will need to have a short memory after getting destroyed by the Lightning in Game 1. Montreal lost in the series opener, 5-1, which was extra frustrating for the Canadiens when you consider that Carey Price was not able to handle the Bolts the way he did against previous opponents in the playoffs. Price allowed five goals on 27 shots faced. Still, the Canadiens have full confidence in Price that he’ll be able to rebound in Game 2. That said, the Habs must find a way to give him some scoring cushion. It would be difficult for Price to work between the pipes with just a goal behind him. If it’s any consolation for the Habs’ offense in Game 1, at least they launched more shot attempts in the series opener, as they have a Cori For of 44 to just 37 by Tampa Bay.
The Canadiens are Canadiens are 9-3 in their last 12 games as an underdog.
Betting on the Tampa Bay Lightning (odds)
Regular Season Record: 36-17-3
The Lightning didn’t make Montreal wait longer to let Price and company taste their absolute offensive wrath. Nikita Kucherov showed why he’s a former Hart Trophy winner, as he recorded three points (2 goals, 1 assist), while linemate Brayden Point had three assists. Montreal’s top line that did a good job of shutting down the top forwards of the opposing teams in the playoffs couldn’t do anything this time around. For one, Tampa Bay made sure to give minimum time on ice for Kucherov, Point, and Ondrej Palat whenever Phillip Danault’s line is in play. Instead, Montreal’s top line was left to spend most of its energy trying to contain the Lightning’s still ultra-talented secondary lines. And even that, Danault and company weren’t able to do well, with Yanni Gourde and Steven Stamkos each burying a goal. The Lightning are looking scary and seem to have the perfect game plan to exploit Montreal’s top-heavy talent.
The Lightning are 15-6 in their last 21 playoff games as a favorite.
Writer’s Prediction
The Lightning win, 3-1.
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