Canadiens @ Lightning

Who will WIN this matchup?

Montreal Canadiens (24-21-11)

@ Tampa Bay Lightning (36-17-3)

Starting Goalies:

Carey Price (MON): Unconfirmed

Andrei Vasilevskiy (TB): Confirmed

Current odds:

Montreal Canadiens: (+220)

Tampa Bay Lightning: (-250)

• One win to prevent being swept will not sow any doubt in the minds of the Tampa Bay Lightning. However, the Montreal Canadiens do believe claiming another victory when the Stanley Cup Final continues Wednesday in Tampa could cause a little self-doubt in the minds of the defending champions, who lead the best-of-seven series 3-1.

• Montreal extended the series with a wild 3-2 overtime victory on Monday. The Canadiens twice blew a lead and then held off the Lightning power-play during a four-minute penalty assessed to captain Shea Weber with 61 seconds remaining in regulation before Josh Anderson scored the winning goal.

• Wednesday’s game comes with another wrinkle. Due to Tropical Storm Elsa, both clubs raced to Tampa earlier than expected on Tuesday and must hope the storm doesn’t cause havoc. The NHL said it expects the game to be played.

• Then again, adversity is nothing new to the Canadiens, who had a midseason coaching change, were sidelined as a team for a week when players tested positive for COVID-19, erased a 3-1 series deficit to the Toronto Maple Leafs in the opening round and even saw Ducharme leave for a couple of weeks in the playoffs after testing positive.

• The Canadiens must be ready because the Lightning want to make amends for failing on their first chance to claim the Stanley Cup. “We missed an opportunity. Our group knows that,” defenseman Ryan McDonagh said. “You turn the page quick here this morning and realize what a great opportunity you have here as a team, as a group. We’re up 3-1 in the series, you have to win one more going into a place you’re familiar with, a fan base behind us. Try to win one game.”

• The situation is familiar to the Lightning. They had the chance to win the Stanley Cup last year in Game 5 against the Dallas Stars, but lost in overtime. Tampa Bay responded with a fantastic effort to win the next game 2-0. The Lightning haven’t lost consecutive playoff games since losing in the opening round in 2019.

• The Lightning could be the first team to win the Cup at home since the Chicago Blackhawks beat them in 2015 Final. As much as winning via sweep would have been great, claiming the title in front of friends, family and fans would be a whale of a consolation. “Our fans have been unbelievable all season through the ups and downs,” forward Anthony Cirelli said. “So to go back to Amalie (Arena) and play for our fans is always is always pretty special, and an opportunity.”