Lightning vs. Canadiens, Picks and Prediction, Tuesday, December 9, 2025
Use Code WWWC The Tampa Bay Lightning face the Montreal Canadiens in a matchup between two of the best Atlantic Division teams. The Lightning have a 16-10-2 record and are in first place in the division while the Canadiens are 15-10-3, and two wins in their last three games have them in third in the division. Who will win this matchup? Check out our Lightning vs Canadiens prediction!
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Tampa Bay hopes defense keeps playing well despite questions in net
The Lightning are having a great season with their offense stepping up and scoring 3.14 goals per game. Nikita Kucherov and Brandon Hagel have scored 29 goals and 34 assists, while Jake Guentzel, Anthony Cirelli, and Brayden Point have added 26 goals and 30 assists to give the Lightning multiple forward lines to come at teams in waves.
The offense has stepped up but the defense has carried them, allowing only 2.61 goals per game. JJ Moser and Emil Martinseon Lilleberg have combined for 4.2 defensive point shares, while Darren Raddysh, Victor Hedman, and Erik Cernak have combined for 2.7 defensive point shares, adding depth to the unit. The hope is that the goaltending remains intact while Andrei Vasilevskiy is out with an injury, and the team turns to Brandon Halverson, who will start his first game of the season.
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Key injury report for Lightning
- Andrei Vasilevskiy (undisclosed) is placed on injured reserve. He is the starting goaltender.
Canadiens are led by a great offense
The Canadiens are putting together a strong season thanks to their offense, which is averaging 3.21 goals per game. Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Ivan Demidov have scored 30 goals and 55 assists while defensemen Noah Dobson and Lane Hutson have added nine goals and 31 assists from the point to open up the offense.
The offense has stepped up but the defense has struggled, allowing 3.46 goals per game, although the unit has been a strength lately, allowing only seven goals in the last three games. Mike Matheson and Lane Hutson have combined for 3.6 defensive point shares but the rest of the unit has struggled, allowing opponents to find open shots on the net with ease. In addition, goaltender Samuel Montembeault has struggled with -12.3 goals saved above average, and his recent starts haven’t been great either, allowing nine goals in the last three starts
Key injury report for Canadiens
- No key injuries to report
Lightning vs Canadiens Pick
Money Line Pick For Lightning vs Canadiens
- Canadiens (-125) (4 units)
The Lightning have struggled lately, and the Canadiens look to step up and take over this game on their home ice. The Canadiens should create plenty of scoring chances and overwhelm Brandon Halverson with Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and the rest of the forward unit controlling the puck in the offensive zone while creating open shots with quick passes. The Canadiens, who have allowed only seven goals in their last three games, should limit the Lightning offense with Noah Dobson and Lane Hutson creating turnovers in the defensive zone while limiting shots on the net, allowing goaltender Samuel Montembeault to make plenty of big saves. The Canadiens should win the game with a strong performance on their home ice.
Take the Canadiens money line as home Favorites.
Over/Under Pick For Lightning vs Canadiens
- Over 6.5 (5 Units)
With questionable goaltending and two teams that have great offenses, this game looks to be a high-scoring one from the first period. The Lightning, who average 3.14 goals per game, should create plenty of scoring chances against the Canadiens, who allow 3.46 goals per game, with Nikita Kucherov, Brandon Hagel, and the rest of the forward unit carrying the puck into the offensive zone while creating open shots with quick passes. The Canadiens, who average 3.21 goals per game, should run up the score against Brandon Halverson, who has yet to start in the NHL this season, with Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Ivan Demidov, and the rest of the forward unit establishing a strong offensive zone presence while creating open shots with effective puck movement while defensemen Noah Dobson and Lane Hutson pick apart the Lightning defense from the point. The Over should cover in a high-scoring game with both offenses stepping up.
Take the Over on 6.5 goals.
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