The Tampa Bay Lightning (20-11-2) take on the Montreal Canadiens (15-17-3) at Amalie Arena on Sunday, December 29 at 5:00 PM ET on ESPN+, with both teams back in action after a win. The Lightning defeated the New York Rangers 6-2 in their most recent game, while the Canadiens are coming off a 4-0 win over the Florida Panthers.
Sign up for ESPN+ today to watch 1,000+ out-of-market NHL games, ESPN+ Hockey Night & more.
Ahead of this matchup, here's who we project to emerge victorious in Sunday's hockey contest.
The Canadiens have put up a 6-4-0 record during their past 10 games. They have scored 34 total goals (seven power-play goals on 31 power-play opportunities during that time, for a conversion rate of 22.6%) while giving up 28 goals to their opponents.
Lightning vs. Canadiens Predictions for Sunday
Our computer projections model for this matchup calls for a final tally of Lightning 5, Canadiens 2.
- Moneyline Pick: Lightning (-249)
- Total Pick: Over 6.5 (computer predicts 6.7 goals on average)
- Spread Pick: Lightning (-1.5)
Watch 1,000+ out-of-market NHL games, ESPN+ Hockey Night & more streaming all season on ESPN+.
Lightning Splits and Trends
- The Lightning (20-11-2 overall) have a 3-2-5 record in matchups that have needed overtime.
- In the nine games Tampa Bay has played that were decided by one goal, it has a 4-4-1 record (good for nine points).
- In the two games this season the Lightning recorded only one goal, they finished 0-1-1.
- Tampa Bay has lost all five games this season when it scored two goals.
- The Lightning have scored more than two goals 26 times, and are 20-5-1 in those games (to record 41 points).
- In the 11 games when Tampa Bay has scored a lone power-play goal, it went 7-4-0 to record 14 points.
- In the 17 games when it outshot its opponent, Tampa Bay is 11-6-0 (22 points).
- The Lightning have been outshot by opponents 14 times, and went 8-4-2 (18 points).
Canadiens Splits and Trends
- The Canadiens have a 15-17-3 record this season and are 3-3-6 in matchups that have needed overtime.
- Montreal has earned 12 points (5-2-2) in its nine games that finished with a one-goal margin.
- This season the Canadiens scored just one goal in four games and they've earned two points (1-3-0) in those contests.
- Montreal has six points (2-6-2) when scoring two goals this season.
- The Canadiens have scored more than two goals in 20 games, earning 25 points from those contests.
- Montreal has scored a single power-play goal in 19 games this season and has registered 24 points from those matchups.
- When outshooting its opponent this season, Montreal is 7-3-0 (14 points).
- The Canadiens have been outshot by opponents in 24 games, going 8-13-3 to record 19 points.
Looking for NHL tickets? Head to StubHub today and see your team live.
Team Stats Comparison
| Lightning Rank | Lightning AVG | Canadiens AVG | Canadiens Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 4 | Goals Scored | 2.97 | 19th |
| 7th | 2.76 | Goals Allowed | 3.49 | 28th |
| 19th | 28.1 | Shots | 24.8 | 32nd |
| 15th | 28.5 | Shots Allowed | 29.6 | 26th |
| 3rd | 27.72% | Power Play % | 21.82% | 16th |
| 13th | 81.05% | Penalty Kill % | 82.11% | 9th |
Lightning vs. Canadiens Game Time and TV Channel
- When: Sunday, December 29, 2024 at 5:00 PM ET
- TV Channel: ESPN+
- Live Stream: Watch this game on ESPN+
- Live Stream: Watch this game on Fubo (Regional restrictions may apply)
- Where: Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida
Sign up for ESPN+ to watch the Lightning play Canadiens.