PREMIUM
Stephen Nover's Stanley Cup Puck Line Game of the Month
(NHL) Montreal vs. Tampa Bay,
Point Spread: -1.50 | 130.00 Tampa Bay (Home)
Result: Loss
Point Spread: -1.50 | 130.00 Tampa Bay (Home)
Result: Loss
The plucky Canadiens got their win, nipping the Lightning, 3-2, in overtime two days ago.
Montreal regained its self-respect by not getting swept by Tampa Bay. But now the inevitable has arrived for the Canadiens - Game 5 in Tampa Bay.
The defending Stanley Cup champion Lightning are healthy and at the highest tier. Montreal is nowhere near that status. At best the Canadiens are at least one level, if not two levels, behind the Lightning.
The situation is ripe for the Lightning to finish off this series. I'm going to turn a huge lay price into a plus price by laying 1 1/2 goals on the puck line in the belief this is not going to be a close game. Even if it is, the empty net factor looms large with Montreal on the brink of elimination and having nothing to lose.
Tampa Bay hasn't lost two playoff games in a row since the opening round of 2019. The Lightning have won 72 percent of their last 69 home games. They also are 8-0 the past eight times hosting Montreal.
Montreal regained its self-respect by not getting swept by Tampa Bay. But now the inevitable has arrived for the Canadiens - Game 5 in Tampa Bay.
The defending Stanley Cup champion Lightning are healthy and at the highest tier. Montreal is nowhere near that status. At best the Canadiens are at least one level, if not two levels, behind the Lightning.
The situation is ripe for the Lightning to finish off this series. I'm going to turn a huge lay price into a plus price by laying 1 1/2 goals on the puck line in the belief this is not going to be a close game. Even if it is, the empty net factor looms large with Montreal on the brink of elimination and having nothing to lose.
Tampa Bay hasn't lost two playoff games in a row since the opening round of 2019. The Lightning have won 72 percent of their last 69 home games. They also are 8-0 the past eight times hosting Montreal.