The Tampa Bay Lightning (16-11-2), mired in a four-game losing skid and desperate to halt their slide, visit the Montreal Canadiens (15-10-3) in an Atlantic Division tilt at the Bell Centre. This marks the first meeting of the season between two Original Six franchises with playoff pedigree, but Tampa’s injury-riddled blue line and goaltending woes face a Canadiens squad buoyed by home-ice energy and timely shootout wins. Expect a high-event affair with special teams deciding it—Lightning’s power play (22.1%, No. 4 in NHL) vs. Montreal’s penalty kill (81.2%, No. 7)—as both teams chase momentum before a grueling holiday schedule.
Game Details
Venue: Bell Centre, Montreal, Quebec
Puckdrop: 7:00 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+
Team Records
| Team | Overall Record | Home Record | Road Record | Atlantic Division Stand |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | 16-11-2 | 9-5-1 | 7-6-1 | 5-4-1 |
| Montreal Canadiens | 15-10-3 | 8-4-2 | 7-6-1 | 4-4-1 |
Tampa ranks No. 8 in goals per game (3.21) but has slipped to No. 20 in goals against (3.46) during the skid. Montreal is middling offensively (No. 18, 2.87 GPG) but elite on the PK, with a +7 goal differential tying them for third in the East.
Injury Report
Injuries have decimated Tampa’s depth, especially in net and on D, while Montreal’s absences hit the forward group hard. Backup netminders could steal the show.
| Team | Player | Position | Status | Injury Details | Estimated Return |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | Andrei Vasilevskiy | G | Out (IR) | Undisclosed | December 11 |
| Ryan McDonagh | D | Out (IR) | Undisclosed | December 11 | |
| Erik Cernak | D | Out | Undisclosed (week-to-week) | December 16 | |
| Dominic James | C | Out | Undisclosed | December 9 | |
| Curtis Douglas | C | Out | Undisclosed | December 9 | |
| Montreal Canadiens | Kirby Dach | C | Out (IR) | Foot | December 28 |
| Samuel Montembeault | G | Day-to-Day | Illness | December 9 | |
| Kaiden Guhle | D | Out | Lower Body | January 2026 | |
| Alexander Newhook | C | Out (IR) | Ankle | March 17, 2026 | |
| Patrik Laine | RW | Out (IR) | Abdomen | February 28, 2026 |
Vasilevskiy’s IR stint (11-6-1, .917 SV%) forces Jonas Johansson or Brandon Halverson into action; Tampa’s D has allowed 14.2 shots against per game without McDonagh/Cernak. Montembeault’s illness (5-6-1) likely means Jakub Dobes starts again (.928 SV% in recent backups).
Recent Team Forms
Tampa’s skid has exposed defensive lapses (12 goals against in last four), while Montreal rides shootout magic but leaked four in Sunday’s loss.
Tampa Bay Lightning Last 5 Games:
| Date | Opponent | Result | Key Notes |
| Dec. 8 | @ TOR | L 0-2 | Shutout loss; Point returns (0 PTS), Hildeby stones TBL |
| Dec. 6 | vs. NYI | L 1-2 | Cernak out; 0/4 PP, Johansson 28 saves |
| Dec. 3 | vs. NYR | L 1-2 | McDonagh scratched; Kucherov 1A, but 32 SOG wasted |
| Dec. 1 | @ DET | W 4-3 | Pre-skid win; Hagel 2G, Vasilevskiy .935 SV% |
| Nov. 29 | vs. PIT | L 3-4 | Overtime loss; 2/3 PK, but turnovers kill |
Form: 1-4-0 (ATS: 1-4). Lightning 6-4-0 in last 10 overall, but 0-4 SU on road lately, averaging 2.0 GPG.
Montreal Canadiens Last 5 Games:
| Date | Opponent | Result | Key Notes |
| Dec. 7 | vs. STL | L 3-4 | Caufield G; Blew 3-1 lead, Dobes 14 saves |
| Dec. 6 | @ TOR | W 2-1 (SO) | Suzuki GWG in SO; 1/4 PP, strong PK |
| Dec. 3 | vs. WPG | W 3-2 (SO) | Dobes 33 saves; Demidov 2A in rally |
| Dec. 2 | vs. OTT | L 2-5 | Defensive collapse; Montembeault pulled |
| Nov. 29 | @ COL | L 2-7 | Road blowout; 1/2 PP, but 36 SOG allowed |
Form: 2-3-0 (ATS: 3-2). Canadiens 5-4-1 in last 10, 4-1 SU at home, but overs in 3 of 5 (avg. 6.4 goals).
Series History
This storied rivalry dates to 1992, with Tampa holding a slight all-time edge (73-59-6 overall, including playoffs). The Lightning have dominated lately, but Montreal’s 2021 Cup run adds spice.
All-Time Regular Season: Lightning lead 61-45-6-7 (53.8% win rate)
Last 10 Meetings: Lightning 6-3-1
Recent Results:
Feb. 9, 2025: Lightning 5-3 (at MTL; Kucherov 2G)
Jan. 21, 2025: Canadiens 3-2 (home; Suzuki GWG)
Dec. 29, 2024: Canadiens 5-2 (at TBL; upset)
Apr. 4, 2024: Lightning 7-4 (at MTL)
Mar. 2, 2024: Lightning 4-3 OT (at TBL)
Series averages 6.8 goals, with overs in 7 of last 10. Tampa is 5-2 SU in last seven road games vs. Montreal; first matchup this season.
Key Player Matchups
With depth tested, stars must deliver in a potential track meet.
Nikita Kucherov (TBL, 12G-22A-34P) vs. Nick Suzuki (MTL, 8G-15A): Kucherov leads the NHL in points and has torched Montreal (5G-7A in last five), using his release to exploit Hutson’s inexperience. Suzuki’s two-way play (51% faceoffs) could shadow, but Kucherov’s PP wizardry tips it. Edge: Lightning—Kuch’s 1.36 PPG vs. Habs.
Brayden Point (TBL, 9G-12A, returning from injury) vs. Ivan Demidov (MTL, 6G-16A): Point’s speed (post-injury: 4 SOG vs. TOR) tests Montreal’s top PK unit; Demidov’s rookie vision (team-high 16A) creates off the rush, but Point’s history (4-5-9 in last six vs. MTL) prevails. Edge: Toss-up; Demidov’s home magic.
Brandon Hagel (TBL, 10G in last 10) vs. Cole Caufield (MTL, 16G): Hagel’s forecheck (plus-8) disrupts Guhle-less D; Caufield’s sniper shot (22.4% SH%) thrives on PP, but Hagel’s two-way grind (1.2 hits/gp) wears him down. Edge: Lightning—Hagel’s hot streak.
Goalie Duel: Jonas Johansson/Brandon Halverson (TBL, .895 SV% combined) vs. Jakub Dobes (MTL, .928 in backups): Tampa’s tandem faces pressure without Vasi; Dobes has backstopped two SO wins but yields softies. Edge: Canadiens if Montembeault sits.
Betting Trends
Puck Line: Montreal 7-5 ATS at home; Tampa 4-6 ATS on road.
Total: 6.5 (O +104/+105; U -125/-128). Overs in 6 of Tampa’s last 8 road games (avg. 7.1 goals); series overs 70%.
Other Trends:
Lightning: 5-5 ATS in last 10; 3-7 SU in last 10 road.
Canadiens: 8-4-1 ATS as favorites; Over in 7 of last 10 home.
Game Odds
Tampa Bay Lightning 6.5
Montreal Canadiens – 118
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, December 8, 2025
