Montreal Canadiens v Tampa Bay Lightning: the preview
Montreal Canadiens meet Tampa Bay Lightning at Bell Centre, Thursday 11:30am (NHL). Tampa Bay Lightning have won 63 of the 116 meetings with Montreal Canadiens since 2000.
The big picture
Montreal Canadiens come in 9th on the ladder; Tampa Bay Lightning are 6th. Tampa Bay Lightning are the side higher up the table.
Montreal Canadiens are 10–6 in NHL 2026-27, averaging 3.6 goals for and 3.2 against.
Tampa Bay Lightning are 10–5 in NHL 2026-27, averaging 3.7 goals for and 3.1 against.
Form
Montreal Canadiens have won four of their last five and most recently beat Utah Mammoth 5–4.
Tampa Bay Lightning have won three of their last five and most recently beat Chicago Blackhawks 4–1.
Head to head
These sides have met 116 times on our records since 2000: Montreal Canadiens 51, Tampa Bay Lightning 63, 2 drawn.
Last time out (2025-26, Postseason), Montreal Canadiens won 2–1 at Benchmark International Arena.
Biggest margin between these two: Tampa Bay Lightning by 6 goals in 2014-15 (7–1).
Players to watch
For Montreal Canadiens, watch Cole Caufield (11 goals, 4 assists in 2026-27) and Josh Anderson (7 goals, 3 assists in 2026-27).
For Tampa Bay Lightning, watch Jake Guentzel (8 goals, 7 assists in 2026-27) and Brandon Hagel (8 goals, 9 assists in 2026-27).
At Bell Centre
Montreal Canadiens have won 9 of their last 20 at Bell Centre.
Tampa Bay Lightning have won 2 of 4 at Bell Centre.
What the numbers say
On the numbers this is too close to split.
Written automatically from Lineball's own match and player database. Not betting advice.
