Lightning vs. Canadiens Prediction & Picks - April 9

The Tampa Bay Lightning (48-24-6, third in the Eastern Conference) and the Montreal Canadiens (46-22-10, fourth), square off on Thursday, April 9 at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+ in a matchup of two of the conference's top teams.

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Before watching this matchup, here is our pick for which club will bring home the win in Thursday's hockey action.

The Canadiens' offense has totaled 34 goals over their last 10 outings, while their defense has allowed 19 goals. They have registered 33 power-play opportunities during that span, and have scored seven goals (21.2%). They are 9-1-0 over those contests.

Lightning vs. Canadiens Predictions for Thursday

Our computer model for this game calls for a final tally of Lightning 4, Canadiens 3.

• Moneyline Pick: Lightning (-120)
• Total Pick: Under 6.5 (computer predicts 6.3 goals on average)
• Spread Pick: Canadiens (+1.5)

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Lightning Splits and Trends

• The Lightning have a 48-24-6 record overall, with a 9-6-15 record in contests that have needed overtime.
• In the 22 games Tampa Bay has played that were decided by one goal, it has a 9-9-4 record (good for 22 points).
• The eight times this season the Lightning finished a game with only one goal, they went 2-5-1 (five points).
• Tampa Bay has scored exactly two goals in 17 games this season (4-10-3 record, 11 points).
• The Lightning are 42-7-2 in the 51 games when they have scored at least three goals (to record 86 points).
• In the 27 games when Tampa Bay has capitalized on a lone power-play goal, it went 16-8-3 to record 35 points.
• In the 43 games when it outshot its opponent, Tampa Bay is 26-12-5 (57 points).
• The Lightning have been outshot by opponents in 33 games, going 20-12-1 to register 41 points.

Canadiens Splits and Trends

• The Canadiens have a 46-22-10 record this season and are 14-10-24 in matchups that have gone to overtime.
• Montreal has earned 41 points (18-6-5) in its 29 games that finished with a one-goal margin.
• This season the Canadiens scored only one goal in five games and they've earned two points (1-4-0) in those contests.
• Montreal has earned seven points (3-6-1 record) this season when scoring a pair of goals .
• The Canadiens have scored at least three goals in 59 games, earning 93 points from those contests.
• Montreal has scored a lone power-play goal in 25 games this season and has registered 39 points from those matchups.
• When outshooting its opponent this season, Montreal is 16-14-2 (34 points).
• The Canadiens have been outshot by opponents in 42 games, going 27-7-8 to record 62 points.

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Team Stats Comparison

Lightning vs. Canadiens Game Time and TV Channel

• When: Thursday, April 9, 2026 at 7 p.m. ET
• TV Channel: ESPN+
• Live Stream: Watch this game on ESPN+
• Where: Bell Centre in Montréal, Quebec

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