May 1, 2026, 12:06 a.m. ET<\/p>\n
The\u00a0Tampa Bay Lightning<\/a> and the\u00a0Montreal Canadiens<\/a> meet Friday in Game 6 of their best-of-7 Eastern Conference first-round series in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Puck drop at Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN). Let’s analyze NHL odds around the Lightning vs. Canadiens odds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions<\/a>.<\/p>\n Best-of-7 series: Canadiens lead 3-2<\/p>\n The Canadiens responded in a big way after a tough Game 4 loss, taking a 3-2 series lead Wednesday with a 3-2 win over the Lightning. Montreal got it done as a +134 road underdog, with the Under (5.5) cashing.<\/p>\n LW Alexandre Texier scored the go-ahead goal early in the third, while RW Brendan Gallagher and C Kirby Dach also found the net. Rookie G Jakub Dobes was outstanding, stopping 38 shots. Montreal sits 1 win away from its first playoff series victory since 2021.<\/p>\n The Lightning missed a prime chance to take control of the series at home in Game 5 and now face elimination. Tampa Bay has dropped 10 of its last 12 home playoff games, a surprising stretch despite consistent sellouts.<\/p>\n C Dominic James scored his first postseason goal, and C Jake Guentzel added another, but it wasn\u2019t enough. G Andrei Vasilevskiy allowed 3 goals on 24 shots in the loss.<\/p>\n The Lightning head to Montreal needing a win to stay alive. Every game in this series has been decided by 1 goal, setting up another tight battle Friday night.<\/p>\n Watch the NHL on Fubo!<\/a>Lightning at Canadiens odds<\/p>\n Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub<\/a> for a full list. Lines last updated day at 12:01 a.m. ET.<\/p>\n Moneyline (ML): Lightning -115 (bet $115 to win $100) | Canadiens -105 (bet $105 to win $100)Puck line (PL)\/Against the spread (ATS): Lightning -1.5 (+220) | Canadiens +1.5 (-275)Over\/Under (O\/U): 5.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)Canadiens at Lightning projected goalies<\/p>\n Andrei Vasilevskiy (38-15-4, 2.35 GAA, .909 SV%, 1 SO) vs. Jakub Dobes (29-10-4, 2.78 GAA, .901 SV%)<\/p>\n Dobes came up big in Game 5, turning aside 38 of 40 shots to power the Canadiens to a win. Under heavy pressure all night, he held firm. Dobes is 3-2 this postseason with a 2.49 GAA and .903 SV%, and he\u2019s was 2-1 with a 2.15 GAA and .928 SV% against the Lightning in the regular season.<\/p>\n Vasilevskiy took the Game 5 loss, stopping 21 of 24 shots. He\u2019s now 2-3 this postseason with a 2.68 GAA and .880 SV%. Despite the recent struggles, his career playoff resume remains strong, going 68-53 with a 2.46 GAA, .917 SV% and 7 shutouts.<\/p>\n Canadiens at Lightning picks and predictionsPrediction<\/p>\n Canadiens 3, Lightning 2<\/p>\n BET CANADIENS (-105).<\/p>\n Momentum is clearly on the side of the Canadiens as they return to Bell Centre for Game 6 with a chance to close out the series. This young group has matched the Lightning step for step, with all 5 games decided by 1 goal. The atmosphere at home should only add to that edge.<\/p>\n The 24-year-old Dobes has been a steady presence in net, making key saves in high-pressure moments, while Montreal\u2019s speed and physical play have consistently disrupted Tampa Bay\u2019s flow. The Canadiens have also limited the Lightning at 5-on-5, forcing them into tougher scoring situations.<\/p>\n Tampa Bay still has plenty of championship experience, but now faces elimination on the road. With momentum, confidence and the home crowd behind them, Montreal is in a strong position. Back the Canadiens on the moneyline to close it out in Game 6.<\/p>\n PASS. No interest in the puck line in this game.<\/p>\n BET UNDER 5.5 (-110).<\/p>\n The numbers lean toward another tight, low-scoring game between these teams, with the Under hitting in 6 of the last 7 meetings, including the last 4 in this series. Strong goaltending and fewer penalties should keep scoring limited again.<\/p>\n Betting odds calculator<\/a><\/p>\n For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com<\/a> and BetFTW<\/a>.<\/p>\n Follow @DrewPhelps05 on\u00a0Twitter\/X<\/a>. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter\/X<\/a> and like us on Facebook<\/a>.<\/p>\n