The Montreal Canadiens got their consolation prize on Monday night, taking Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final in overtime over the Tampa Bay Lightning, getting their first win of the series, and extending their season and the championship round for at least another game.
Granted, that comes in the form of Game 5 back at Tampa Bay's Amalie Arena where the defending Stanley Cup champions will be looking to retain their title for at least another year.
“It’s hard enough just to beat a team, let alone to take them out in four, and we’re in the Stanley Cup Final,” Lightning head coach Jon Cooper said. “It’s two good hockey teams playing each other, and the series was meant to go more than four games.”
The Lightning have been unbeatable after losing a game in the postseason, going 6-0 during their current run to the Cup Final following a loss. Dating back to last postseason, that record is an astounding 12-0.
That leaves the Canadiens with the near-impossible task of winning a second-straight playoff game against Tampa Bay where they'll hope to continue administering a physical style of play in an attempt to wear them down.
“We’ve talked about wearing teams down,” Montreal winger Corey Perry said. “Every night you have to continue to do the small, little things — keep putting the puck in deep, banging the body. It takes a toll on guys.”
Granted, that's long been the blueprint for any team that's faced the Lightning in the playoffs. And while the New York Islanders best exhibited the formula, even they couldn't get past Tampa for a second straight year in the semifinal phase, bowing out in seven games.
Needless to say, the oddsmakers have understandably made the Lightning favorites to hoist the Stanley Cup on their home ice on Wednesday night in Tampa Bay:
Stanley Cup Game 5 odds
Puck Line
Canadiens: +1.5
Lightning: -1.5
Total Goals
Over 5: -130
Under 5: +108
Moneyline
Canadiens: +185
Lightning: -220
To Score
Nikita Kucherov (TBL): +138
Brayden Point (TBL): +145
Steven Stamkos (TBL): +175
Anthony Cirelli (TBL): +215
Alex Killorn (TBL): +225
Ondrej Palat (TBL): +225
Tyler Toffoli (MTL): +240
Conn Smythe Trophy Winner
Andrei Vasilevskiy (TBL): -125
Nikita Kucherov (TBL): -106
Brayden Point (TBL): +1000
Carey Price (MTL): +1100
Steven Stamkos (TBL): +4000
Victor Hedman (TBL): +5000
Nick Suzuki (MTL): +5000
Odds courtesy of DraftKings
