The Tampa Bay Lightning are one win away from some sweet revenge. After suffering a sweep at the hands of the Montreal Canadiens in last season’s playoffs, the Bolts need just one more win to bring out the brooms on the hapless Habs. A buzzer-beating goal from playoff hero Tyler Johnson sealed Game 3 to put the Lightning in fine position to close out the series on home ice.
The Habs just have not been able to find the winning formula against the Bolts dating back to the regular season. Will Game 4 spell the end to their once-promising season? Read on below for our preview of this last-gasp Game 4.
The Lightning are on a collision course with the Washington Capitals, who are up 3-1 on the New York Rangers. Check out our preview of the pivotal Game 5 between the Caps and Rangers here.
[sc:NHLArticles ]Montreal Canadiens vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Betting Preview
Series Scores & Schedule
Game 1 – Tampa Bay Lightning 2 at Montreal Canadiens 1 (OT)
Game 2 – Tampa Bay Lightning 6 at Montreal Canadiens 2
Game 3 – Montreal Canadiens 1 at Tampa Bay Lightning 2
Game 4 – May 7, 7:00 PM ET – Montreal Canadiens at Tampa Bay Lightning – view all NHL lines
Game 5* – May 9, TBD – Tampa Bay Lightning at Montreal Canadiens
Game 6* – May 12, TBD – Montreal Canadiens at Tampa Bay Lightning
Game 7* – May 14, TBD – Tampa Bay Lightning at Montreal Canadiens
*If necessary
Betting on the Montreal Canadiens
To the Habs’ credit, they gave it their best shot in Game 3. They peppered Ben Bishop’s goal, outshooting the Lightning 31-19. They cut down on their penalty-in minutes from 53 the previous game to just six in Game 3. Carey Price bounced back well from his six-goal horror show in Game 3. But it still wasn’t enough to break their season-long skid against the Lightning.
[sc:NHL240 ]Their last-second loss was a crushing blow to the Canadiens’ confidence (or what’s left of it), as they look to stave off elimination just 24 hours after such a heartbreaking loss. The odds will no doubt be stacked against them, given that they’ll be on the road against the team they for whatever reason can’t seem to beat. But the Habs are still a very talented, championship-caliber team that won’t simply lie down.
The Habs haven’t played that poorly in this series. They’ve certainly created enough chances, with 26 more shots than the Lightning in the first three games. They were also desperately unlucky in Game 3, as three of their shots hit the post. Some of those attempts must turn into goals at some point.
And on the other end, Carey Price is capable of shutting the door on the Lightning to at least keep the Habs in the game. Price has allowed just four goals in four road games in these playoffs. The total has gone under in all four of those road games.
Betting on the Tampa Bay Lightning
Young Tyler Johnson just cannot be stopped in this postseason. The Lightning star struck for his playoffs-leading eighth goal as time (virtually) expired to give Tampa Bay the 2-1 win in Game 3. Good things continue to happen when Johnson finds the back of the net. The Lightning are 5-0 in the postseason when Johnson scores.
But while Johnson stole the show with his last-second goal, Ben Bishop kept them in the game for the first 59 minutes and 59 seconds. He stopped 30 of 31 shots in Game 3 to continue what has been an excellent series from him. He has a sterling .961 save percentage against the Habs through three games.
Bishop has been between the sticks for all eight meetings against Montreal this season, all of which the Lightning have won. He’s been a big part in the Bolts holding a massive 31-12 goals advantage over the Habs in those eight games. With that type of domination against a single team, Tampa Bay will have all the confidence needed to close the series out.
The Lightning will also have the added boost of having their home support right behind them. They fed off that support to go an NHL-best 32-8-1 at home in the regular season. But they lost twice in three games at home against Detroit in the first round.
Writer’s Prediction
Bishop and the Lightning complete the sweep of the Habs with a 3-1 home win. Create a betting account now and get into the NHL playoffs as they creep closer to the Stanley Cup.
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