The Montreal Canadiens return north of the border to host the Tampa Bay Lightning on Friday, April 24.
My Canadiens vs. Lightning predictions and NHL picks point to another closely contested matchup, with Cole Caufield expected to drive the offense more as a playmaker than relying solely on his usual scoring touch.
- UPDATE: Added prediction for who will win.
Lightning vs Canadiens Game 3 prediction
Who will win Lightning vs Canadiens Game 3?
Montreal: After splitting the games in Tampa Bay and letting Game 2 slip out of their grasp late in the third, the Habs will return to the Bell Centre and pick up a win. They're 3-0-2 in their last five against the Lightning.
Lightning vs Canadiens best bet: Cole Caufield Over 0.5 assists (+130)
The Tampa Bay Lightning have a game plan for Cole Caufield, limiting the 51-goal scorer to just three shots through two games.
Fortunately, Caufield and his overshadowed vision have produced three assists in the meantime. Tampa's game plan to limit his scoring opportunities has created an abundance of passing options for the winger.
With Tampa suppressing his scoring opportunities, it's opened passing lanes and high-danger chances for his linemates (see Juraj Slafkovsky's Game 1 hat trick). At plus odds, I'm banking on a Caufield helper in Game 3.
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Lightning vs Canadiens Game 3 same-game parlay
Many may be surprised Lane Hutson blocked 137 shots in his sophomore season. While his offensive numbers may be better suited for a flashy stat or a viral tweet, he's stepped up big in his own zone as Noah Dobson remains sidelined.
Hutson played over 32 minutes in Game 2, blocked two shots, and ranks third in the NHL in blocked shots over the last calendar month. He's a workhorse at both ends of the ice.
Both games in this series thus far have needed extra time, and the Montreal Canadiens have covered the puck line in five straight against Tampa — with four of them coming within the last month.
More convincingly, they've covered the PL in 10 of Jakub Dobes' last 11 starts.
Lightning vs Canadiens SGP
- Cole Caufield Over 0.5 assists
- Lane Hutson Over 1.5 blocked shots
- Canadiens +1.5
Lightning vs Canadiens Game 3 goal scorer pick
Josh Anderson (+450)
Josh Anderson has scored in three of his last four playoff games against Tampa, including in both games in this series and dating back to the 2021 Stanley Cup Final.
He's scored in three of his last four and had his highest single-game shot total since March 3 in Game 2. I'm all over this at a whopping +450.
Lightning vs Canadiens odds for Game 3
- Moneyline: Lightning -120 | Canadiens +100
- Puck Line: Lightning -1.5 (+205) | Canadiens +1.5 (-250)
- Over/Under: Over 5.5 (-130) | Under 5.5 (+120)
Lightning vs Canadiens trend
Three of the last five meetings between these teams have required extra time, including both playoff games thus far. Find more NHL betting trends for Lightning vs. Canadiens.
How to watch Lightning vs Canadiens Game 3
| Location | Bell Centre, Montreal, QC |
| Date | Friday, April 24, 2026 |
| Puck drop | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | Sportsnet, TNT |
Lightning vs Canadiens latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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