2021 Stanley Cup Final: Canadiens vs. Lightning Game 1 Odds, Picks and Predictions

Above all, no team has defied the NHL betting odds like the Canadiens.  Montreal was a heavy playoff series underdog to Toronto, Winnipeg, and Vegas.  Yet the Canadiens won each series in resounding fashion.  Last series was the biggest shocker of the postseason.  Vegas was a whopping -550 favorite to eliminate the Canadiens.  Not only did Montreal win the series, but they also proved to be the superior team.  Now comes the ultimate test for Le Blue-Blanc-Rouge.  Accordingly, the Tampa Bay Lightning are the defending Stanley Cup champions.  Tampa Bay has shown the same playoff fortitude that Montreal has.

2021 Stanley Cup Final Schedule – Best of Seven

Game 1:  Monday, June 28, 8 p.m. ET, Amalie Arena, NBCSN

Game 2:  Wednesday, June 30, 8 p.m. ET, Amalie Arena, NBCSN

Game 3:  Friday, July 2, 8 p.m. ET, Molson Centre, NBC

Game 4:  Monday, July 5, 8 p.m. ET, Molson Centre, NBC
Game 5:  Wednesday, July 7, 8 p.m. ET, Amalie Arena, NBC *

Game 6:  Friday, July 9, 8 p.m. ET, Molson Centre, NBC *

Game 7:  Sunday, July 11, 7 p.m. ET, Amalie Arena, NBC *

*=if necessary

Montreal Canadiens vs. Tampa Bay Lightning CashBet Wagering Analysis

Here we go again, with the Canadiens being a major underdog.  For all that playoff success, Montreal hasn’t won the majority of gamblers over.  As the defending champion, the Lightning will generate considerable public wagering support.  Tampa Bay is the most consistent top online sportsbook winner since the Chicago Blackhawks dynasty.  Since 2015, the Bolts are in their third Stanley Cup Final.  Such success adds to the price tag.

On the whole, we have a classic Squares vs. Sharps betting showdown.  Casual fans will pound hard on Tampa Bay.  Wise Guys will continue to ride the Montreal wave.  Last series against the Golden Knights should have taught everyone a lesson on the perils of opposing the Canadiens.  Accordingly, the price is roughly half that of the Vegas bet.  But this is still a large number for a Stanley Cup Final.

Montreal Develops Winning Hab-it

So far in the playoffs, Montreal ranks 11^th for goal scoring but third for goals allowed.  On special teams, the Canadiens rank 7^th for the power play and first for penalty killing.  Late on, Montreal is on betting on NHL fire.  Les Canadiens got the cash in eight of their previous ten games.  Only one of their last nine games went over the total.

Rookie Cole Caufield brings the Habs an offensive element that was missing in the regular season. Caufield arrived in April from Wisconsin, where he won the Hobey Baker Award as college hockey’s best player.  Caufield has four goals, five assists, and rapidly building confidence.  Of course, goaltender Carey Price is the bedrock of the team.  Price has a .934 save percentage and 2.02 goals-against average.

Lightning Strikes When it Matters Most

Tampa Bay paid in six of its previous nine pro hockey betting matchups.  Only two of their last eight games went over the total.  Specifically, special teams are a major Lightning playoff advantage.  Tampa Bay ranks 4^th for penalty killing and 2^nd for power-play efficiency.  Second in the playoffs for goals against and goal-scoring reveals a complete and disciplined team.

Goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy doesn’t get the hockey betting hype of Carey Price.  Yet Vasilevskiy boasts a .936 save percentage and 1.99 goals against average.  In turn, center Brayden Points has a team-best 14 goals with six assists and a +5.

Montreal Canadiens vs. Tampa Bay Lightning CashBet Free Pick  

In this situation, the Canadiens are the best NHL gambling value. Montreal promised they were built for the playoffs.  Indeed, that has been proven to be the case.

Canadiens vs. Lightning CashBet Best Bet: 

Montreal Canadiens