Lightning vs. Canadiens Prediction & Picks - March 31

The Montreal Canadiens (42-21-10) will aim to continue a five-game win streak when they play the Tampa Bay Lightning (46-21-6) on the road on Tuesday, March 31 at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+.

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Before this matchup, here's who we expect to take home the victory in Tuesday's hockey game.

In the past 10 contests, the Canadiens are 7-3-0 while putting up 33 total goals (six power-play goals on 27 power-play opportunities during that time, for a conversion rate of 22.2%). They have given up 21 goals.

Lightning vs. Canadiens Predictions for Tuesday

Our computer model for this encounter calls for a final score of Lightning 4, Canadiens 2.

• Moneyline Pick: Lightning (-173)
• Total Pick: Under 6.5 (computer predicts 6.3 goals on average)
• Spread Pick: Lightning (-1.5)

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Lightning Splits and Trends

• The Lightning are 46-21-6 overall and 9-6-15 in overtime contests.
• 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).
• In the seven games this season the Lightning recorded just one goal, they went 2-4-1 (five points).
• Tampa Bay has taken 11 points from the 15 games this season when it scored two goals (4-8-3 record).
• The Lightning are 40-7-2 in the 49 games when they have scored more than two goals (to register 82 points).
• In the 26 games when Tampa Bay has recorded a lone power-play goal, it registered 35 points after finishing 16-7-3.
• In the 40 games when it outshot its opponent, Tampa Bay is 24-11-5 (53 points).
• The Lightning's opponents have had more shots in 31 games. The Lightning finished 20-10-1 in those contests (41 points).

Canadiens Splits and Trends

• The Canadiens have posted a record of 12-10-22 in overtime games to contribute to an overall mark of 42-21-10.
• In the 28 games Montreal has played that were decided by one goal, it racked up 39 points.
• This season the Canadiens recorded just one goal in five games and they've earned two points (1-4-0) in those contests.
• Montreal has seven points (3-6-1) when scoring two goals this season.
• The Canadiens have scored three or more goals 55 times, earning 85 points from those matchups (38-8-9).
• This season, Montreal has capitalized on a single power-play goal in 22 games has a record of 16-5-1 in those matchups.
• When it outshoots its opponent this season, Montreal has posted a record of 15-14-2 (32 points).
• The Canadiens' opponents have had more shots in 38 games. The Canadiens finished 24-6-8 in those contests (56 points).

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Team Stats Comparison

Lightning vs. Canadiens Game Time and TV Channel

• When: Tuesday, March 31, 2026 at 7 p.m. ET
• TV Channel: ESPN+
• Live Stream: Watch this game on ESPN+
• Where: Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida

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