Nikita Kucherov (Tampa Bay Lightning)
TAMPA, Fla. – The road to the Stanley Cup officially begins tonight at Benchmark International Arena as the Tampa Bay Lightning host the Montreal Canadiens for Game 1 of the NHL Playoffs First Round.
The puck is scheduled to drop at 5:45 p.m. ET, with the national broadcast airing on TNT and streaming options available via Fubo.
The Lightning enter the postseason as the heavy betting favorite at -189 on the moneyline, while the Canadiens sit as the underdog at +156.
Oddsmakers have set the over/under for total goals at 6. Statistically, Tampa Bay holds a slight edge in defensive reliability, ranking 3rd in the league for goals allowed (2.79 per game) and 3rd in penalty kill efficiency (82.56%). Montreal, meanwhile, boasts a more potent power play, converting at a 23.14% rate, good for 10th in the NHL.
READ: Bolts Shake Up Roster With Five-Player Shuffle Ahead Of Playoffs
Tampa Bay has shown consistent strength when favored this season, winning 60.9% of those matchups. However, the Canadiens have proven to be a dangerous underdog, winning 65.8% of the 38 games in which they were not favored.
Both rosters are navigating significant injury concerns heading into the series opener.
Victor Hedman Credit: Tampa Bay Lightning
The Lightning will be without defenseman Victor Hedman, who is out for personal reasons, along with Pontus Holmberg (upper body) and Dominic James (leg). Goaltender Jonas Johansson is currently listed as day-to-day.
The Canadiens are also missing key contributors, including Patrik Laine (abdomen) and Noah Dobson (thumb), while Alexander Carrier remains day-to-day with an upper-body injury.
With 50 of Tampa Bay’s 82 games and 53 of Montreal’s games exceeding a total of six goals this season, fans can expect a high-paced offensive contest as these two Atlantic Division rivals battle for an early series lead.
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Puck Drops In Tampa: Lightning And Canadiens Face Off To Open Postseason Quest