The Montreal Canadiens will look to bolster their win total and reward moneyline bettors when the Tampa Bay Lightning invade Bell Centre on Thursday.

Supporters of the Lightning have seen them go 17-22-4 so far this season, while the Canadiens are at 26-12-5. In totals betting, the Canadiens are 23-20, while the Lightning are 23-16-4.



View Tampa Bay vs Montreal Odds and Stats.

Betting Line:
Hockey odds makers at Sportsbook opened the Canadiens as -186 moneyline favorites in this matchup. Over under bettors saw the number open at 5.5 at Sportsbook.

Power Rankings:
The Canadiens - Lightning odds would favor the Canadiens if the lines were set according to our power ranks. Montreal is rated No. 2 in the current Odds Shark poll, while Tampa Bay is at No. 19.



How They Match Up:
The game also pits Montreal's No. 4-ranked offense, averaging 3.1 goals per game, against a Lightning defense that ranks No. 26 at 3.1 goals allowed. The Canadiens power play is averaging 21.9% while the Lightning defense kills off 79.4% of their penalties.

Tampa Bay lost its last outing, a 4-3 result against the Jets on April 16. Bettors who backed the Jets at -121 on the moneyline won on the day, and the total score (7) sent OVER bettors to the payout window.

Last time out for Montreal, they were a 6-4 loser as they battled the Penguins on the road. Moneyline bettors who got the Penguins at -128 were rewarded, while the 10 combined goals moved the game OVER for totals bettors.


Tampa Bay Lightning Trends:
When playing on Thursday are 8-2
Before playing St. Louis are 3-7
After playing Winnipeg are 6-4
After a loss are 4-6

Montreal Canadiens Trends:
When playing on Thursday are 1-9
Before playing Washington are 6-4
After playing Pittsburgh are 6-4
After a loss are 7-3

A few Lightning at Canadiens trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Tampa Bay's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Tampa Bay's last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Tampa Bay's last 6 games when playing Montreal
Tampa Bay is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Montreal
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Montreal's last 8 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Montreal's last 5 games
Montreal is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Tampa Bay
Montreal is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Tampa Bay


Next up:
Tampa Bay home to Carolina, Sunday, April 21
Montreal home to Washington, Saturday, April 20