NHL

NHL Betting Guide: Wednesday 6/30/21

Brayden Point recorded three assists in Game 1 against the Canadiens. Will he help lift the Lightning to a 2-0 series lead?

Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals goes Wednesday night, and the Tampa Bay Lightning will be looking to take the first two games of the series on home ice against the Montreal Canadiens. How should you approach Game 2 in Tampa?

Please note that lines are subject to change throughout the day after this article is published. Please check here to make sure you're seeing the most updated information.

Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Montreal Canadiens

Lightning moneyline (-225): 1-Star Rating Out of 5

Domination is the best way to describe the Lightning's dismantling of the Habs on Monday night. The Lightning won 5-1 with their metrics across all strengths, further illustrating how effective they were in Game 1.

The Lightning finished the game with a 61.1% expected goals-for percentage, making it three of their last four in which their expected goals-for percentage was above 60.0%. In total, the Bolts have posted a cumulative expected goals-for percentage of 60.2% over the four-game span while outscoring their opponents 16-4.

One of Tampa's biggest assets is their powerplay, which they continue to wield unrelentingly. The Lightning have attempted 10 or more high-danger chances across all strengths in four straight games, out-chancing their opponents in each game. That has resulted in eight high-danger goals while conceding only one.

Tampa wouldn't be where they are now without Andrei Vasilevskiy between the pipes. Vasilevskiy continues to lead playoff goalies with a 93.6% save percentage, stopping 95.3% of shots over the Lightning's last four games.

This betting line has moved in favor of the Lightning, but there remains value in backing the home side. The Lightning's offense continues to exceed expectations and Vasilevskiy has been nearly unbeatable. Taking the Bolts to win is rated as a one-star play, as per our projections.