by Darren Moore
Tampa Bay is up 2-0 in the best-of-seven series Stanley Cup final against the Canadiens.
The stakes for the Canadiens in their first Stanley Cup final in 28 years could not be higher. The Habs are now in a virtual must-win situation after falling 2-0 behind. Only one club has ever come back from a 3-0 series disadvantage to win the Stanley Cup final: the 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs.
- Nine of the 11 teams that went up 2-0 in the final series in the last 20 years have gone on to win the Cup.
- The third game in the series will be on home soil for the Canadians who have gone 5-1 against the spread in their last six home games.
Canadiens vs Lightning – Game 3 Odds
Despite being on the road, the online sportsbooks are still betting on the Lightning with Tampa Bay a -130 favourite to win the third game via legal US Sportsbooks odds Friday night. In their last six away games, the Bolts are 6-0 against the spread.
The puck will drop at the Bell Centre at 8 p.m. ET with the broadcast live on NBC.
Can the Habs do better at home?
The Montreal Canadiens requested permission to expand the capacity of Game 3 to 50% but the Quebec government declined the request meaning there will be a total of 3,500 people in attendance for Game 3.
- The Canadiens have won five of their last six games at the Bell Centre. Over that time, the Canadiens have allowed less than two goals per game.
- Three of Montreal’s last five home games versus the Lightning have resulted in victories.
- The Canadiens are 5-2 in their last seven games when playing Game 3 of a playoff series at home.
Paying The Price
It would be incorrect to claim that goaltender Carey Price’s performance is the sole reason the Canadiens are still winless in this series. In two games, Montreal has only scored twice and in the third quarter, the Habs have been outscored 4-0.
However, it’s fair to say that Price’s opposite number, Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy, is definitely outplaying him. In Game 2, Vasilevskiy was the standout performer with a total of 42 saves. It was his sixth postseason appearance with 40 or more saves.
Save Stats
- Price had a.934 save percentage heading into the Stanley Cup final
- Price recorded a.840 save percentage in two games versus the Lightning
- Vasilevskiy is 8-0 with a.967 save percentage in their last eight games
- Price has a save percentage of.879 and is 0-8 in matchups with Vasilevskiy
- Over the last two seasons, Price has an.882 save percentage versus Tampa Bay, and a .873 save percentage (214-of-245) over the last three seasons.
Injury News
Montreal Canadiens
For Game 3, the Canadiens will have their head coach back. Dominique Ducharme has been out of the NHL COVID-19 protocol for the past six games.
In Ducharme’s absence, assistant coach Luke Richardson went 3-3 on the bench.
Jake Evans (concussion) and Tomas Tatar (undisclosed) of the Montreal Canadiens are both questionable for Game 3.
Tampa Bay Lightning
Alex Killorn (foot) of the Tampa Bay Lightning missed Game 2 and is uncertain for Game 3.
Lightning forward Ross Colton was forced to leave Game 2 twice due to an undisclosed injury. Tampa coach Jon Cooper had promised an update on Colton’s status for Game 3 on Friday morning.
Darren lives & breathes sports betting and is always sniffing out his next value bet. His favourite sports to bet on are the NFL, horse racing and UFC but he will bet on anything if he thinks the odds are favourable.
