Montreal Canadiens vs Tampa Bay Lightning Prediction, Picks & Odds | 28 Dec 2025

NHL Betting Preview: Canadiens vs Lightning

The Montreal Canadiens square off against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Benchmark International Arena, with face-off scheduled for 17:00 on Sunday, December 28.

The Lightning are available at -100 when it comes to the 3-Way Moneyline. Our prediction is that the home team will beat the Canadiens in 60 minutes and there’s value available when it comes to these odds.

Montreal Canadiens won their previous game 6-2. This was a road victory at TD Garden against Boston Bruins. Noah Dobson racked up 3 points, all of them were assists. Goalie Jacob Fowler stopped 26 shots (.929).

Tampa Bay Lightning got a third straight win in their last game. It was a 4-2 road triumph at Amerant Bank Arena when meeting Florida Panthers. Nikita Kucherov scored two goals, with Jake Guentzel and Pontus Holmberg also scoring. Goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy made 24 saves (.923).

Head-to-Head Statistics

The Lightning have claimed back-to-back victories over the Habs. Both successes came at Bell Centre and the scorelines were 5-3 and 6-1. The past 10 H2H games have seen the Lightning land seven wins.

Starting Goalies

Jacob Fowler (Confirmed)

Season	W-L-OTL:	GAA:	SV%:	SO:
24/25	9-6-2	2.4	.908	1

Jonas Johansson (Confirmed)

Season	W-L-OTL:	GAA:	SV%:	SO:
24/25	11-10-2	3.3	.884	0
23/24	12-7-5	3.37	.890	2

5 wins, 3 losses and 2 overtime losses, averaging 3.4 goals from 25.8 shots on goal, with a 18.4% powerplay efficiency. The Habs have been giving up 2.8 goals from 26.6 shots, averaging 4.5 penalties with a penalty-killing efficiency of 82.2%.

Lane Hutson is the top points scorer with 14 points, 1 goal and 13 assists, with Nick Suzuki recording 11 points, 3 goals and 8 assists, in the past 10 games. Goalie Jakub Dobes have a 2.75 goal against average with a .887 save percentage.

The Lightning have 5 wins, 4 losses and 1 overtime loss, averaging 3.3 goals from 28.8 shots on goal, with a 11.3% powerplay efficiency. They have conceded 2.5 goals from 24.1 shots, averaging 6.5 penalties per game with a penalty-killing efficiency of 87.7%.

The top points scorer is Nikita Kucherov with 13 points, 3 goals and 10 assists, while Jake Guentzel is next in line after registering 11 points, 4 goals and 7 assists. Goalie Jonas Johansson have a 2.34 GAA with a .905 SV%.

Montreal Canadiens vs Tampa Bay Lightning Prediction & Picks

This Montreal Canadiens vs Tampa Bay Lightning betting guide features sharp analysis across major markets, including a match prediction, correct score bet, valuable player prop picks and a strategic bet builder.

Game Prediction

We’re keeping our pick nice and simple by heading to the 60-minute line. Take the -100 that Tampa Bay Lightning are able to secure a victory in this NHL encounter.

Our hockey picks are rooted in solid team news and up-to-date form for each franchise. We also dig deep to uncover the most relevant NHL stats that help guide and strengthen our predictions.

Key Canadiens vs Lightning stats:

• Lightning have won 3 consecutive games.
• Lightning have won 6 of their last 10 games at home.
• Lightning have won 12 of their last 20 games.
• Lightning have won the last 2 games between these teams.

Lightning 3-Way Moneyline Probability

If you go by the best NHL sportsbooks, our pick has a 50% chance of landing a return. Taking all factors into consideration, our experts think there’s a stronger chance of success and estimate the probability to be closer to 60%. It’s the reason why we are recommending this hockey bet.

There are some value betting options beyond simply backing Tampa Bay to win, with Match Winner & Total Goals, Puck Line and Winning Margin viable alternatives to get more juice.

Boost your wager with the newest free bets, sign-up promotions and the best betting offers featured in our easy-to-use guide.

Our Game Prediction

Lightning 3-Way Moneyline @ -100 Bet Now

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Disclosure: This preview contains affiliate links; we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. T&Cs apply. We only recommend licensed and regulated operators. See our Editorial Policy. Pick odds and lines reflect the price available at the time of publication (Dec 28, 00:56). Live market odds are updated regularly and may differ. 18+ (or legal age) | Gamble Responsibly.

Player Prop Picks

Top Pick: Oliver Kapanen Over 1.5 Shots -105

Oliver Kapanen (Canadiens) has fired Over 1.5 shots on goal in 5 straight road games. The stats suggest that he can oblige with our Overs wager and we’re more than happy to take the -105 available.

Pick odds and lines correct at publication. Live market odds are updated regularly and may differ. T&Cs apply. 18+ (or legal age) | Gamble Responsibly.

Correct Score Prediction

Canadiens 1 - 4 Lightning

We’re predicting the Lightning to land a 4-1 victory and this is available at +1400. The correct score betting option provides plenty of fun and entertainment.

Latest Correct Score Odds

Score

Canadiens

Lightning

1-0

Canadiens

+5500

Lightning

+5500

2-0

Canadiens

+5500

Lightning

+4500

2-1

Canadiens

+1600

Lightning

+1400

3-0

Canadiens

+4000

Lightning

+2900

3-1

Canadiens

+2200

Lightning

+1700

3-2

Canadiens

+950

Lightning

+850

4-0

Canadiens

+5000

Lightning

+3400

4-1

Canadiens

+1900

Lightning

+1400

4-2

Canadiens

+1800

Lightning

+1400

4-3

Canadiens

+1100

Lightning

+1000

5-0

Canadiens

+9000

Lightning

+5500

5-1

Canadiens

+3300

Lightning

+2000

5-2

Canadiens

+2000

Lightning

+1400

5-3

Canadiens

+2500

Lightning

+2000

5-4

Canadiens

+2000

Lightning

+1900

6-0

Canadiens

+14000

Lightning

+8000

6-1

Canadiens

+7500

Lightning

+4500

6-2

Canadiens

+4000

Lightning

+2500

6-3

Canadiens

+3500

Lightning

+2500

6-4

Canadiens

+5000

Lightning

+4500

6-5

Canadiens

+5000

Lightning

+4500

7-0

Canadiens

+5000

Lightning

+12500

7-1

Canadiens

+13000

Lightning

+7500

7-2

Canadiens

+10000

Lightning

+6000

7-3

Canadiens

+7000

Lightning

+5000

7-4

Canadiens

+7500

Lightning

+5500

7-5

Canadiens

+11000

Lightning

+10000

7-6

Canadiens

+12000

Lightning

+11000

8-1

Canadiens

+12000

Lightning

+12500

8-2

Canadiens

+12000

Lightning

+11000

8-3

Canadiens

+12000

Lightning

+11000

8-4

Canadiens

+13000

Lightning

+10000

8-5

Canadiens

+13000

Lightning

+13000

View More

Pick odds and lines correct at publication. Live market odds are updated regularly and may differ. T&Cs apply. 18+ (or legal age) | Gamble Responsibly.

Montreal Canadiens vs Tampa Bay Lightning Odds

The odds and lines below are updated regularly and may differ from the prices shown in our picks, which are captured at the time of publication.

With a 59% chance of securing victory, Tampa Bay Lightning are favorites for this game and the sportsbooks have them at betting odds of -145. The market suggests that Montreal Canadiens are least likely to win at +120.

The puck line is 1.5 and the total goals line is currently 6.5. There is no denying the popularity of wagering on Totals. If you want to wager Over 6.5, there are odds of +102.

Consider every angle when placing your National Hockey League wagers. The best betting apps have a huge selection of team props and game lines and it’s all about finding a bet which matches your prediction of the matchup.

Moneyline

Canadiens

+120

Lightning

-145

3-Way Moneyline

Canadiens

+195

Tie

+340

Lightning

+106

Puck Line

Canadiens +1.5

-204

Lightning -1.5

+164

Total Goals

Under 6.5

-123

Over 6.5

+102

As an alternative to the game lines, check out the player prop bets that are available. It’s especially great if you have a view when it comes to Blocked Shots, Goaltender Saves or Shutouts while there are lots of other options.

Micro betting is an exciting way to wager on the NHL. There are a huge range of live lines and it’s a simple case of predicting what is going to happen next. Next Goal, Next Goalscorer and several 10 Minute lines are among the options.

Latest regular season and playoff games stats.

Montreal Canadiens Stats

Tampa Bay Lightning Stats

Moneyline

• 5 wins and 5 defeats in the last 10 games
• 7 wins and 3 defeats in the last 10 games on the road

Moneyline

• 4 wins and 6 defeats in the last 10 games
• 6 wins and 4 defeats in the last 10 home games

Puck Line

• +1.5 Betting Line: Have covered the +1.5 puck line in 7 of the last 10 games
• +1.5 Betting Line on the Road: Have covered the +1.5 puck line in 8 of the last 10 games on the road

Puck Line

• -1.5 Betting Line: Have not covered the -1.5 puck line in any of the last 10 games
• -1.5 Betting Line at Home: Have covered the -1.5 puck line in 3 of the last 10 home games

Total Goals

• Game Totals: An average of 5.30 goals in the previous 10 games
• Game Totals on the Road: An average of 5.30 goals in the previous 10 games on the road
• Over 5.5: Covered in 4 of the previous 10 games
• Over 5.5 on the Road: Covered in 3 of the previous 10 games on the road
• Team Totals: Have scored an average of 2.50 goals and allowed 2.80 goals in the last 10 games
• Team Totals on the Road: Have scored an average of 3.10 pts and allowed 2.20 goals in the last 10 games on the road

Total Goals

• Game Totals: An average of 5.50 goals in the previous 10 games
• Game Totals at Home: An average of 6.10 goals in the previous 10 home games
• Over 5.5: Covered in 5 of the previous 10 games
• Over 5.5 at Home: Covered in 6 of the previous 10 home games
• Team Totals: Have scored an average of 2.40 goals and allowed 3.10 goals in the last 10 games
• Team Totals at Home: Have scored an average of 3.20 goals and allowed 2.90 goals in the last 10 home games

Team Stats - Avg/Game

Last 10 Games

• Goals Powerplay: 0.8
• Shots: 23.7
• Goals Shorthanded: 0
• Penalties: 6.5
• Empty Net Goals: 0
• Penalty Minutes: 16.5
• Blocks: 13.8
• Faceoff Wins : 28.7
• Hits: 32.8
• Giveaways: 13.8
• Takeaways: 4.6

Last 10 Games on the Road

• Goals Powerplay: 0.9
• Shots: 25.7
• Goals Shorthanded: 0.1
• Penalties: 5.2
• Empty Net Goals: 0.2
• Penalty Minutes: 11.1
• Blocks: 10.7
• Faceoff Wins : 29.2
• Hits: 26.3
• Giveaways: 14.9
• Takeaways: 4.5

Team Stats - Avg/Game

Last 10 Games

• Goals Powerplay: 0.5
• Shots: 24.4
• Goals Shorthanded: 0
• Penalties: 7.1
• Empty Net Goals: 0
• Penalty Minutes: 18.2
• Blocks: 14.4
• Faceoff Wins : 26.2
• Hits: 26.6
• Giveaways: 15.9
• Takeaways: 5.2

Last 10 Home Games

• Goals Powerplay: 0.3
• Shots: 29.1
• Goals Shorthanded: 0.1
• Penalties: 6.4
• Empty Net Goals: 0.2
• Penalty Minutes: 14.2
• Blocks: 18.1
• Faceoff Wins : 26.7
• Hits: 22.5
• Giveaways: 15.1
• Takeaways: 4

Injuries & Suspensions

Starting Lineups

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