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.<\/p>\n
Sign up for ESPN+ today<\/a> to watch 1,000+ out-of-market NHL games, ESPN+ Hockey Night & more.<\/p>\n Get ready for this matchup with a look at who we predict will come out on top in Thursday’s contest.<\/p>\n 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%).<\/p>\n Lightning vs. Canadiens Predictions for Thursday<\/p>\n Our computer projection model for this contest expects a final score of Lightning 4, Canadiens 3.<\/p>\n Moneyline Pick: Lightning (-116) Watch 1,000+ out-of-market NHL games, ESPN+ Hockey Night & more streaming all season on ESPN+.<\/a><\/p>\n Lightning Splits and Trends<\/p>\n The Lightning are 9-6-15 in overtime games as part of a 48-24-6 overall record. The Canadiens have earned a record of 14-10-24 in overtime games as part of an overall mark of 46-22-10. Looking for NHL tickets? Head to StubHub today<\/a> and see your team live.<\/p>\n Team Stats Comparison<\/p>\n Lightning vs. Canadiens Game Time and TV Channel<\/p>\n When: Thursday, April 9, 2026 at 7 p.m. ET
\nTotal Pick: Under 6.5 (computer predicts 6.3 goals on average)
\nSpread Pick: Canadiens (+1.5)<\/p>\n
\nIn the 22 games Tampa Bay has played that were decided by one goal, it has a 9-9-4 record (good for 22 points).
\nThe eight times this season the Lightning finished a game with only one goal, they went 2-5-1 (five points).
\nTampa Bay has taken 11 points from the 17 games this season when it scored a pair of goals (4-10-3 record).
\nThe Lightning have scored three or more goals 51 times, and are 42-7-2 in those games (to record 86 points).
\nIn the 27 games when Tampa Bay has capitalized on a single power-play goal, it registered 35 points after finishing 16-8-3.
\nWhen it has outshot its opponent, Tampa Bay is 26-12-5 (57 points).
\nThe Lightning have been outshot by opponents 33 times, and went 20-12-1 (41 points).
\nCanadiens Splits and Trends<\/p>\n
\nMontreal has earned 41 points (18-6-5) in its 29 games that finished with a one-goal margin.
\nThis season the Canadiens recorded only one goal in five games and they’ve earned two points (1-4-0) in those contests.
\nMontreal has earned seven points (3-6-1 record) this season when scoring a pair of goals .
\nThe Canadiens have scored at least three goals in 59 games, earning 93 points from those contests.
\nThis season, Montreal has recorded a lone power-play goal in 25 games has a record of 19-5-1 in those matchups.
\nWhen outshooting its opponent this season, Montreal is 16-14-2 (34 points).
\nThe Canadiens’ opponents have had more shots in 42 games. The Canadiens went 27-7-8 in those contests (62 points).<\/p>\n
\nTV Channel: ESPN+
\nLive Stream: Watch this game on ESPN+<\/a>
\nWhere: Bell Centre in Montr\u00e9al, Quebec<\/p>\n