Lightning vs. Canadiens Stanley Cup Finals Odds and Game 3 Preview – July 2nd, 2021

By Carlos Chacon • July 2, 2021

The Tampa Bay Lightning head out to Montreal in high spirits with a 2-0 series lead. After blowing out the Canadiens in the first two games, they bring the momentum with them as they play their first away game of the Stanley Cup Final. They secured another convincing victory against their opponents that ended 3-1. So far, the Lightning has only conceded 2 goals since the start of the Final and continues to uphold a staggering offensive line.

If the Canadiens don’t step up, there’s a good chance that Tampa Bay snatches one in front of their home crowd. Meanwhile, we’ve seen improvements coming from their side since the loss, but if they fail to make the necessary changes, a 3-0 deficit might mean the end of the line for the team.

Can the Habs get on the series scoreboard at home? Or will the Bolts continue to take them down and get closer to winning the trophy two years in a row? NitroBetting news team offers you a guide that covers specifics of the best hockey and sporting events coming your way. We bring you an all-inclusive guide that tackles the teams, NHL odds, their respective betting trends, and our very own expert betting predictions. Be sure to be on the lookout for updated NHL odds and lines out our online Bitcoin sportsbook before placing your bets!

Lightning vs. Canadiens Game 3 Information

When: Friday, July 2, 2021, 8:00 PM ET
Where: Centre Bell, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
TV: NBC, CBC, SN, TVAS
Radio: AM 970 WFLA (Lightning) // TSN 690 AM (Canadiens)
Live Stream: NHL Live
NHL Betting Odds: Tampa Bay Lightning (-132) / OU: 5.0

Why Bet on the Tampa Bay Lightning?

After another comfortable win for the Lightning, they now hold a 2-0 series lead. Blake Coleman had an insane goal that turned out to be the game-winner, with his diving, Superman-style score just before the end of the second period. It was almost a replay of his goal from last season’s playoffs and was crucial for the team’s victory. Meanwhile, Andrei Vasilevskiy had another impressive game. The 26-year-old goalie saved 42 of the 43 shots he faced, a busier night compared to their first game against the Canadiens.

The Lightning was under more pressure this time, but the rest of the team handled it well. Although they were stuffy with the puck and faced timing issues, the team stayed composed long enough to draw first blood.

Anthony Cirelli opened the scoring for the night, followed by Coleman’s agile goal to break the deadlock after their opponents tied the game. Ondrej Palat was the last player to put his name on the score sheet with an orthodox goal thanks to the sloppy defense of Joel Edmundson.

Why Bet on the Montreal Canadiens?

Montreal came out with more tricks up their sleeve in Game 2, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the mighty Tampa Bay Lightning. They were ahead on shots on goal for the most part, but their aggressive style of play was only able to find the back of the net once.

It was Nick Suzuki who gave his team a glimpse of hope after scoring from the power play to tie the game in the second period. He hit a bullet of a shot that caught everyone off guard. The Habs were coming off a huge offensive shift after the Cirelli goal as the Lightning lost their bearings for a bit, and it seemed like a goal from them was inevitable.

The Canadiens were also much better on defense this time around, holding the power play off the bat, which is no easy feat when you play the defending champions. If Montreal can repeat this with the support of their home crowd, they can start to execute more offensive moves along the way. This is not yet over for the Habs. Avoiding a 3-0 lead can bring them back into the game and have a clearer shot at the title this season.

Lightning vs. Canadiens Betting Trends

The Lightning are 4-1 SU in the last 5 games.
The Lightning are 6-0 SU in the last 6 games against Montreal.
The totals have gone under in 6 of Tampa Bay’s last 8 games on the road.
The Canadiens are 11-4 SU in their last 15 games.
The Canadiens are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games at home.
The totals have gone under in 6 of Montreal’s last 8 games against Tampa Bay.

Lightning vs. Canadiens Expert Betting Predictions

It looks like the Lightning are looking to end this series early. As the favorites, they are expected to deliver the results night in and out. And if they can keep the momentum going, a win on the road stays on the table. However, if the Canadiens perform the necessary adjustments right away, the team can pull off a victory in Game 3.

They’ve had a taste of a tightly contested match and now they want the win. In addition; there’s less pressure on them as they get the convenience of playing at the Centre Bell in Montreal, Canada.

Feel free to browse sports betting guides. While you are at it, go ahead and check out all the latest NHL betting odds and more in our online BTC sportsbook.

*All odds stated are subject to change without prior notice.