8:13 pm
July 5

Lightning @ Canadiens

Who will WIN this matchup?

Tampa Bay Lightning (36-17-3)

@ Montreal Canadiens (24-21-11)

 

Starting Goalies:

Andrei Vasilevskiy (TB): Unconfirmed

Carey Price (MON): Confirmed

 

Current odds:

Tampa Bay Lightning: (-155)

Montreal Canadiens: (+135)

 

• With the opportunity to sweep the Stanley Cup Final and claim a second straight title, the Tampa Bay Lightning potentially could look past Monday’s road clash with the Montreal Canadiens. After all, even if the Canadiens drum up a victory, it would mean the Lightning could finish the best-of-seven series on home ice two nights later in a full and frenzied home rink. They have a 3-0 lead in the series. Coach Jon Cooper vowed his team will look to close out the series north of the border.

• The Lightning, who are looking to complete the first Stanley Cup Final sweep since the Detroit Red Wings beat the Washington Capitals in four games in 1998, have been a dominating team in the series, outscoring the Canadiens by a 14-5 margin and not trailing for a single second. With an amazing opportunity before them, the Lightning have an advantage from having been through this scenario last year and the benefit of dealing with the biggest of moments.

• Certainly the Lightning know they will face the best the Canadiens have to offer when the hosts look to avoid being swept in the finals for the first time since the Red Wings beat Montreal to claim the championship in 1952. This year’s edition of the Canadiens likely won’t join the 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs as the only team to erase a 3-0 deficit and win the Stanley Cup, but they will give what they can. Garnering a win would at least prevent the Lightning from hoisting the Stanley Cup in Montreal.

• That said, the Canadiens must elevate their game noticeably to extend the series and prevent the Lightning from claiming a third championship in franchise history. They also won in 2004.

• The Lightning are also staring at a great chance. Since the NHL instituted a salary cap for the 2005-06 season, only the Pittsburgh Penguins have won consecutive championships in 2016 and 2017. “It’s a legacy thing,” Cooper said. “Multiple Cups, it gives you good street cred for the guys, for the organization.”

5/10
Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
Tampa Bay Lightning
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