The Montreal Canadiens don't want to get swept in the 2021 Stanley Cup Final on their home ice. All hands will be on deck for the Habs in Game 4 against the Tampa Bay Lightning, as they look to extend the series for at least another game. With that being said, it's time to continue the NHL odds series and make a prediction and pick for Game 4.
Here's how sportsbooks have the odds for Lightning-Canadiens Game 4.
NHL Odds: Lightning-Canadiens Game 4 Odds
Tampa Bay Lightning -160
Montreal Canadiens +144
Over 5 goals (-130)
Under 5 goals (+118)
Why The Lightning Could Cover The Spread
The Lightning are having a whole lot easier time in the 2021 Stanley Cup Final than in any of the past three rounds they went through. They even put up their best offensive performance of the series so far in their first game as the road team, earning a 6-3 win in Game 3 back on Friday.
That time, it was Tyler Johnson who got his turn in the limelight. The second-line forward found the back of the net twice. Even the defensemen joined in the scoring barrage, with Victor Hedman and Jan Rutta each burying a goal. The Lightning are simply overpowering Montreal on both ends of the ice.
Carey Price was expected to be the biggest hurdle for the Lightning, but so far, he has been getting flummoxed by this incredibly deep and talented Tampa Bay squad, which had 10 high-danger shots in Game 3 to just five by Montreal. That's not a good sign for the Habs, as that's the most either team has had in a game thus far in the series.
Why The Canadiens Could Cover The Spread
To say that the Canadiens' backs are against the wall would be a massive understatement. They were the big underdog coming into the 2021 Stanley Cup Final against the Lightning, and that's surely showing. As mentioned earlier, Price hasn't been at the top of his game in this Tampa Bay series, though it's not entirely his fault that the Habs are getting dominated.
Then again, he has allowed a total of 13 goals over the first three games. Whether it's fair or not that he's getting largely blamed for Montreal's inability to contain the Bolts, he certainly needs to put up a much better effort between the pipes on Monday night. As for their offense, the Canadiens have to be more accurate. The effort is there for them. In fact, they have outshot the Lightning in the last two games, 78-53.
The Habs also have a 55.39 CF% in the series, meaning they are winning the possession battle, so at least there's something for them to build on heading into Game 4.
Final Lightning-Canadiens Game 4 Prediction & Pick
The Lightning have clearly demonstrated in each of the first three games why they are favored to win the 2021 Stanley Cup Final against Montreal. They have the superior offense by a mile and much better goaltending. Montreal simply doesn't have enough to keep up with the stacked Lightning roster. The series ends Monday night in Montreal.
Final Lightning-Canadiens Prediction & Pick: Lightning -1.5 (+165)
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