Canadiens vs Lightning Prediction 12/28/2025 Today’s NHL Picks

In this article we will formulate a Canadiens vs Lightning prediction for this NHL game on Sunday, December 28th at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.

Montreal Canadiens Betting Preview

The Montreal Canadiens are 20-12-5 this season after they defeated Boston by a score of 6-2 in their last game. Montreal trailed 2-1 after the first period, but they scored once in the second and four times in the third for the comeback victory. The Canadiens out shot Boston by a total of 29-28, won 47.4% of the face-offs, and went 2-7 on the power play in the game. Montreal got goals from Blais, Bolduc, Caufield, Demidov, Slafkovsky, and Suzuki, while Fowler stopped 26 out of 28 shots, which was a .929 save percentage. 

Prior to that game, Montreal lost to the Penguins by a score of 4-3, but did beat the Penguins by a score of 4-0 before that. The Canadiens have won three of their last four games and they are currently third in the Atlantic standings with 45 points. Montreal has scored 3.27 goals per game and they have allowed 3.27 goals against per game, while also going 26.0% on the power play and 77.7% on the penalty kill this season. Nick Suzuki has led Montreal with 11 goals and 31 assists, while Cole Caufield has added 18 goals and 18 assists. The projected starting goalie for Montreal is Jacob Fowler, who is 3-1-1 with a 2.40 goals against average and a .918 save percentage this season. 

Tampa Bay Lightning Betting Preview

The Tampa Bay Lightning are 21-13-3 this year after they defeated Florida by a score of 4-2 in their last game. Tampa Bay had their lead cut to 3-2 in the second period, but they scored the only goal in the third to seal the win. The Lightning were out shot by a total of 26-25, won 48% of the face-offs, and went 0-6 on the power play in the game. Tampa Bay got goals from Guentzel, Holmberg, and Kucherov (2), while Vasilevskiy stopped 24 out of 26 shots, which was a .923 save percentage. 

Prior to that game, Tampa Bay defeated the Blues by a score of 4-1 and the Hurricanes by a score of 6-4. The Lightning have won three games in a row and they are currently second in the Atlantic standings with 45 points. Tampa Bay has scored 3.25 goals per game and they have allowed 2.61 goals against per game, while also going 18.1% on the power play and 84.3% on the penalty kill this season. Nikita Kucherov has led Tampa Bay with 15 goals and 32 assists, while Jake Guentzel has added 18 goals and 21 assists. The projected starting goalie for Tampa Bay is Jonas Johansson, who is 7-6-1 with a 2.76 goals against average and an .897 save percentage this year. 

Why the Montreal Canadiens will win

• The Canadiens have won each of their last three games as road underdogs against Atlantic Division opponents.
• The Canadiens have covered the puck line in each of their last eight games as road underdogs against Eastern Conference opponents.

Total Goals Facts

• Each of the Canadiens’ last four games at Benchmark International Arena against opponents on a winning streak have gone OVER the total goals line.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Canadiens’ last five games.

Montreal Canadiens Player Prop Facts

• Juraj Slafkovsky has recorded at least one assist in six of the Canadiens’ last seven road games.
• Zachary Bolduc has scored a goal in three of the Canadiens’ last four road games against Atlantic Division opponents.

Canadiens vs Lightning Prediction 

Tampa Bay was able to get a win over Florida on Saturday to extend their winning streak to three, but they will be on a back to back here. The Lightning are 10-9-0 at home this year, while the Canadiens are 10-3-4 on the road. Montreal has won three of their last four games and they have scored at least four goals in all three of those wins. The Canadiens have the rest advantage here and I like how they are playing, so I will take them with the plus money.

David Racey's Pick: Canadiens ML