Lightning vs Canadiens Picks and Prediction – 4/4/2024

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In this showdown at the Bell Centre, the Tampa Bay Lightning (41-26-7, 4th Atlantic) face off against the Montreal Canadiens (29-33-12, 8th Atlantic). The Lightning, coming off a recent loss to Detroit, aim to bounce back against the Canadiens, who just secured a win against Florida. Both teams bring unique strengths and struggles to this match, making it a must-watch for fans. Hit the ice running with our NHL picks.

The Tampa Bay Lightning, standing 4th in the Atlantic Division, bring an impressive offensive game to the ice, highlighted 256 goals for which is sixth in the NHL and an NHL-leading power play percentage at 29.3%. Nikita Kucherov shines with 85 assists and 127 points, showcasing Tampa Bay's dynamic attack. 

Despite the Lightning’s offensive strengths, Tampa Bay's defense has its share of problems, with a 22nd-ranked 241 goals against. Andrei Vasilevskiy, with a .900 save percentage and 2.86 goals against average, remains a key figure between the pipes. However, injuries to Mikhail Sergachev and Jonas Johansson could impact depth and overall performance.

On the other side, the Montreal Canadiens face an uphill battle, sitting at the bottom of the Atlantic Division. The Canadiens’ 27th-ranked offense, with only 201 goals for, struggles against more formidable defenses. Nick Suzuki leads with 71 points, but the team's overall performance has been lackluster, especially in power play situations, where they rank 26th with a 17.5% efficiency. 

The defense doesn't fare much better, allowing 246 goals. Sam Montembeault, with a .906 save percentage and 3.03 GAA, carries the weight in goal, but Montreal's injury woes, including key absences like Christian Dvorak and Joshua Roy, further complicate the Canadiens season.