Stadium: Amalie Arena.
Game 2. The score in the series is 1-0.
Tampa Bay beat Montreal very confidently in the first game of the 2021 Stanley Cup final series. Will the fight not work out in the end? Here are a few options for betting on the 2nd meeting.
Will Tampa Bay get away with it at all?
The Lightning were very strong in the opening game of the final series. Even when their opponent seemed to be on the upswing. Trailing by one goal after 0-2, Tampa Bay did not allow themselves the slightest chance to doubt their superiority. Nikita Kucherov’s brace, Steven Stamkos’ power-play goal and 5-1.
A milestone achievement by Nikita Kucherov is worth mentioning separately. The Russian added an assist to his two goals in the previous game, reaching the 30-point mark in the current playoffs. Kucherov scored 34 points in the postseason last season. Previously, only Mario Lemieux and Wayne Gretzky made 30+ for two consecutive playoffs. Kucherov is phenomenal!
Montreal could be winless altogether
Tampa Bay’s level is just noticeably higher. The Canadiens have very little chance of picking up at least 1 game in the final series. One might have assumed that the first game would be successful for the Canadiens, but the Lightning, on the wave of success in Game 7 against the Islanders, simply destroyed their opponent.
The only opportunity for Montreal to clinch is the tremendous potential of Carey Price. The Canadiens goaltender is capable of single-handedly picking up wins for his team. Price is particularly good in this playoff run. His 5 goals against the Lightning came just once, at the very start of the playoffs in a game with Toronto. Price had 4 goals apiece against Toronto in the first game of the series with Vegas as well.
Expert Betting Tips
There are big doubts as to whether Montreal will be able to beat Tampa Bay at least once, but it’s still a possibility. The Canadiens’ star goalie Carey Price was not as bright in the first game. Traditionally in this playoff series, Price has had a weak start to the series. In the following games, however, and the second meeting of the final should be no exception, the goaltender has been adding well. Price will not allow the Lightning to win as convincingly for the second time in a row.
Betting options:
- Total Under 5 for 1.84;
- Tampa Bay’s Individual Total Under 3 for 1.76;
- Each team to score less than 3.5 pucks for around 1.80.
Other predictions
