Montreal vs Tampa Bay Prediction: the Canadiens Seem to Unlearn How to Win At Home

Prediction for the NHL-1 match between Montreal vs Tampa Bay, which will take place on February 9th. Who will turn out to be stronger? Check the teams' conditions! Several betting options are available.

Montreal

Montreal's had another mediocre regular season. It's been ages since the Canadiens made the playoffs, and now it looks like their chances of ultimate success are more about luck than anything else. The recent poor results have made things even worse.

In eight previous battles, Martin St. Louis' team only managed one victory, a hard-fought 4-3 win over San Jose. They got another point in a game against New Jersey, but lost in overtime 3-4. So far, it's only enough for 13th place in the Eastern Conference standings.

Tampa Bay

Tampa Bay has a lot more skill and experience, with many of the current players having played in at least three Stanley Cup Finals, and won two of them. Yes, the Lightning aren't doing brilliantly in the current regular season, but it's not time to showcase their best hockey yet.

Before the break in the championship, John Cooper's team had gained some good momentum. They beat Ottawa twice in a row 4:3 and 5:1, and the day before that they had no problems against Detroit, winning 6:3. Three wins in a row has seen the Lightning climb to sixth in the Eastern Conference standings.

H2H Meetings

In the current regular season, Montreal and Tampa Bay met twice. The Canadiens won both games, 5-2 and 3-2.

Stats Betting

• Montreal failed seven of the last eight matches.
• In the last eight head-to-head meetings, they've both scored at least two goals each.
• In five of the last six times these two teams have met, Montreal has won, reaching the total over.
• Montreal conceded at least three pucks in the last eight matches in a row.

Bookmakers' Options

If you fancy John Cooper's team to win, including overtime and a shootout, you can get odds of 1.60 at 1xbet. And for the final victory of the Canadiens, you can get odds of 2.30. The bookie reckons there'll be plenty of goals in the match between Montreal and Tampa Bay. You can bet on a total over 5.5 pucks at odds of 1.56, and on a total under 5.5 pucks at 2.30.

Expert Betting Tips

Montreal and Tampa Bay go into the face-off in very different form. The Canadiens are clearly dreaming of an impending pause in the championship, as they have seriously stalled, losing seven of their previous eight meetings. Meanwhile, the Lightning has got their mojo back, bagging the last three games. So, they'll probably rack up two points in the next match. So, we're putting money on Tampa Bay to win the game.

The match between Montreal and Tampa Bay has been a blast to watch and a real productive one lately. In six previous head-to-head meetings, the opponents scored 45 pucks (7.50 average per game), and the Lightning were especially productive offensively with 24 goals (4.00 average per game). 

Our picks:

Team 2 Wins for 1.61

TO (6.5) for 1.95

IT2O (3.5) for 2.07