Tampa Bay will be going all out to complete a 4-1 Stanley Cup Final success versus Montreal on home ice at Amalie Arena.
The Lightning were denied a clean sweep when edged out 3-2 in overtime in Canada on Monday but can have the compensation of now lifting the trophy in front of their own supporters.
We’re happy to take 7/10 for Jon Cooper’s side to get the job done in regular time for the first of tonight’s Stanley Cup Final predictions.
A Look At Tampa Bay Lightning’s Betting Odds
Tampa Bay had to secure their second title triumph in an Edmonton bubble last September, so having fans, friends and family present here will feel extra sweet.
Defenseman Ryan McDonagh told the NHL website: “We missed an opportunity last night – our group knows that.
“But you turn the page pretty quick and you realise what a great opportunity you have here as a team, as a group and as an organisation, up 3-1 in the series.
“You’ve got to win one more and you’re going into obviously a place you’re familiar with, with a fan base that’s going to be behind us.
“We’ve got to go out there and give it our best effort and try to win one hockey game.”
The Lightning showed against Dallas in last year’s final and in earlier play-off rounds this term they can instantly put the odd below-par display behind them.
In fact, in post-season fixtures over the past two seasons, they are 14-0 when turning out after a defeat!
Given their superiority in the first three games, outscoring Montreal 14-5, we reckon 6/5 for Tampa to prevail by more than 1.5 goals on the spread stands out from the Stanley Cup Final odds.
A Look At Montreal Canadiens’ Betting Odds
Montreal showed great spirit to fend off a lengthy power-play before Josh Anderson kept the series alive by striking in overtime.
The Canadiens will now be determined to ensure that does not prove just a consolation victory.
Winger Corey Perry declared: “We’re looking forward to the challenge that’s ahead of us and we’ll be ready.”
Montreal have had to overcome adversity all season, with head coach Claude Julien axed in February and interim successor Dominique Ducharme hit by coronavirus issues.
They managed to come from 3-1 down to beat Toronto in the first round of the play-offs before thrashing Winnipeg and seeing off Vegas 4-2.
However, the fact they could now be flying into Hurricane Elsa on the Florida coast feels like one bad omen too many.
Tampa Bay’s Nikita Kucherov has been a thorn in their side during this series and 8/1 for the Russian winger to score first in Game 5 completes our Stanley Cup Final betting tips.
Additional stats
Last result:
CANADIENS 3-2 LIGHTNING (OT)
Previous head-to-head: Lightning 5-1 Canadiens, Lightning 3-1 Canadiens, Canadiens 3-6 Lightning
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