The Tampa Bay Lightning (48-24-6, second in the Eastern Conference) and the Montreal Canadiens (46-22-10, fourth), square off on Thursday, April 9 at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+ in a matchup between two of the conference’s top-ranked squads.

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Get ready for this matchup with a look at who we predict will come out on top in Thursday’s contest.

Over the last 10 games for the Canadiens (9-1-0), their offense has put up 34 goals while their defense has allowed 19 goals. They have recorded 33 power-play opportunities during that span, and have scored seven goals (21.2%).

Lightning vs. Canadiens Predictions for Thursday

Our computer projection model for this contest expects a final score of Lightning 4, Canadiens 3.

Moneyline Pick: Lightning (-116)
Total Pick: Under 6.5 (computer predicts 6.3 goals on average)
Spread Pick: Canadiens (+1.5)

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Lightning Splits and Trends

The Lightning are 9-6-15 in overtime games as part of a 48-24-6 overall record.
In the 22 games Tampa Bay has played that were decided by one goal, it has a 9-9-4 record (good for 22 points).
The eight times this season the Lightning finished a game with only one goal, they went 2-5-1 (five points).
Tampa Bay has taken 11 points from the 17 games this season when it scored a pair of goals (4-10-3 record).
The Lightning have scored three or more goals 51 times, and are 42-7-2 in those games (to record 86 points).
In the 27 games when Tampa Bay has capitalized on a single power-play goal, it registered 35 points after finishing 16-8-3.
When it has outshot its opponent, Tampa Bay is 26-12-5 (57 points).
The Lightning have been outshot by opponents 33 times, and went 20-12-1 (41 points).
Canadiens Splits and Trends

The Canadiens have earned a record of 14-10-24 in overtime games as part of an overall mark of 46-22-10.
Montreal has earned 41 points (18-6-5) in its 29 games that finished with a one-goal margin.
This season the Canadiens recorded only one goal in five games and they’ve earned two points (1-4-0) in those contests.
Montreal has earned seven points (3-6-1 record) this season when scoring a pair of goals .
The Canadiens have scored at least three goals in 59 games, earning 93 points from those contests.
This season, Montreal has recorded a lone power-play goal in 25 games has a record of 19-5-1 in those matchups.
When outshooting its opponent this season, Montreal is 16-14-2 (34 points).
The Canadiens’ opponents have had more shots in 42 games. The Canadiens went 27-7-8 in those contests (62 points).

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Team Stats Comparison

Lightning vs. Canadiens Game Time and TV Channel

When: Thursday, April 9, 2026 at 7 p.m. ET
TV Channel: ESPN+
Live Stream: Watch this game on ESPN+
Where: Bell Centre in Montréal, Quebec

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