Tampa Bay Lightning vs Montreal Canadiens Prediction, Odds and Picks for Today, 04/09/26

The Tampa Bay Lightning will be visiting the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday night in what could be a potential first round playoff matchup in only a few weeks time. Heading into action on Wednesday night, the Canadiens, Lightning and the Buffalo Sabres are all tied at the top of the Atlantic Division with 102 points. With only 4 games remaining, winning this game is crucial for winning the division or finishing in 2nd and securing home ice in the first round of the playoffs.

This is a battle between 2 high-flying offensive teams. The Canadiens are 6th in the NHL, averaging 3.45 goals for per game, and the Lightning are 2nd in the league, averaging 3.55 goals per game. There is no shortage of skill in this game, highlighted by Nikita Kucherov and Jake Guentzel for the Lightning, and Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield for the Canadiens. There is solid goaltending at both ends of the ice, but there is too much offensive talent out there for a low-scoring game.

I am anticipating a high-scoring, exciting game between these talented teams as they battle it out for an important 2 points. Give me the over in this one.

Lightning vs. Canadiens prediction: Over 6.5 (+100) available at time of publishing. Playable at that number.

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