The series is currently tied 1-1.
Game 2 saw the Lightning win 3-2 in overtime, with J.J. Moser scoring the game-winning goal.
Brandon Hagel recorded a Gordie Howe hat trick in Game 2 (goal, assist, and a fight).
SportsLine's model projects the Lightning to win Game 3 and advance in the series.
The model also suggests the Over 6 goals is a strong possibility, as the model projects 6.1 combined goals between the teams.
Why This Matters: The Lightning Canadiens series is a key matchup in the Eastern Conference, with both teams vying for a deep playoff run.
The Lightning Canadiens series has been marked by physicality and tight checking. In Game 2, the Lightning dominated overtime, outshooting the Canadiens 9-0. Goaltending will be a crucial factor, with Andrei Vasilevskiy for the Lightning and Jakub Dobes for the Canadiens expected to play key roles. The SportsLine Projection Model simulates the game 10,000 times, providing detailed player projections. For Game 3, the model projects Cole Caufield to record .56 goals and .45 assists for Montreal, while Nikita Kucherov is projected to score 0.51 goals and 1.03 assists for Tampa Bay.
Q: Who scored the game-winning goal in Game 2?
J.J. Moser scored the game-winning goal in overtime for the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Q: What is a Gordie Howe hat trick?
A Gordie Howe hat trick is when a player gets a goal, an assist, and a fight in the same game.
Q: What does the SportsLine model predict?
The SportsLine model projects the Lightning to win Game 3 and for the total goals to be over 6.
The series is evenly matched, with each team winning one game.
Expect a physical Game 3 in Montreal.
Key players to watch are Nikita Kucherov and Brandon Hagel for Tampa Bay, and Cole Caufield for Montreal.
The SportsLine model favors the Lightning and suggests betting the Over on total goals.
Do you think the Lightning will win Game 3? Share your predictions in the comments! Share this article with others who need to stay ahead of this trend!
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