Tampa Bay vs Montreal Prediction: the Lightning to Strike the Outsider

Prediction for the NHL Tampa Bay Lightning vs Montreal Canadiens match, which will take place on December 29th. Who will turn out to be stronger? Check the team conditions! Several betting options are available.

Tampa Bay is one of the most consistent teams in the NHL. Three consecutive Stanley Cup finals, winning two - a fantastic result. The Lightning only sometimes plays their best, knowing that the key games are ahead. Nevertheless, John Cooper's team had a decent December getting five victories (24-7). After that, they lost to Toronto and Detroit 1-4 and 4-7, which dropped Tampa Bay to ninth place in the Eastern Conference standings.

Montreal has undergone tremendous decline over the past year, going from a Stanley Cup finalist to a hopeless outsider. They looked pretty good in the opening game, but gradually the results went downhill. In the last six meetings, the wards of Martin St. Louis suffered five defeats and won only once over another underdog Arizona - 3-2. Of course, with such a poor showing, it's out of the question to contend for a playoff spot. Currently, Montreal is in 14th place in the Eastern Conference standings.

Tampa Bay failed the last two games, but everyone knows how powerful the Lightning roster is. After the break, John Cooper's team will play differently, making Montreal's chances of success minimal. The Canadiens could be better now, as evidenced by five losses in the previous six meetings. 

Tampa Bay is one of the NHL's brightest and most aggressive teams. In 32 meetings held, they scored 115 pucks (3.59 average). Montreal, meanwhile, has severe defensive problems, as they've conceded 118 goals (3.47 average) in 34 games - a dismal output. Moreover, John Cooper's squad has scored at least four times in the last three meetings.

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