The Stanley Cup playoffs resume on Wednesday, and we have three more pivotal matchups on the schedule. The Flyers will take their third crack at trying to close out the pesky Penguins, while the Canadiens-Lightning and Mammoth-Golden Knights series change locations for massive Game 5s. We're coming off a profitable 2-1 betting night with our NHL picks, and I'm looking to stay hot and navigate us through tonight's three-game board. Let's dive into my top NHL bets for Wednesday, April 29th’s game Canadiens vs. Lightning.
Wednesday's Best NHL Picks: Canadiens vs. Lightning
(Odds courtesy of BetMGM)
Montreal Canadiens (+140) vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (-170) | O/U 5.5 (-120/+100)
Brandon Hagel was the hero for the Lightning (2-2) in Sunday's road win over the Canadiens (2-2), netting the final two goals in the 3-2 affair. The Atlantic Division foes are back at it this evening, and puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET from Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, FL.
I'll be on the under at even money tonight. The three latest games in this series have all finished 3-2, and two of those contests have needed an extra frame to find a fifth goal. For as high-powered as these offenses are, both teams have been playing low-scoring games recently. The under is 11-5 in Montreal's last 16 games, while going 4-1 in Tampa's last five games. It's 5-1 in the last six head-to-head meetings between the divisional opponents.
Furthermore, neither offense has been able to find much space during 5-on-5 play in the playoffs. So far, the Canadiens and Lightning are tied for last in expected goals per 60 minutes (1.66) during even-strength play. The teams are 16th (three) and 14th (five) in 5-on-5 high-danger shots on goal, respectively, through four games. If they can avoid conceding penalties to each other, then we should be looking at another low-scoring contest. Give me the under.
Bet: Under 5.5 Goals (+100)
