Phelan Ebenhack/Associated PressThe Tampa Bay Lightning is still one game away from a second Stanley Cup title...but it's not over.With a decisive win of 6-3 in Game 3 in Montreal (the Canadiens' first home match), the Lightning won the series 3-0 against Montreal Canadiens.Montreal will also host Game 4, but it'll still be competing for the title. The history of the NHL doesn't favor teams who lose 3-0. Only four teams have ever come back from that loss. After trailing 3-0 in their Final, only the 1941-42 Toronto Maple Leafs won the title. The Bolts want to be the first team to sweep this Final since 1998.Repetition is not nearly as common. In 2016-17, the Pittsburgh Penguins were the last team to win back-2-to-back Stanley Cups.Let's look at the rest of the series and then dive into Game 4 to see what is happening, as well as how we can pick a winner.Stanley Cup Final Remaining ScheduleGame 4: Monday July 5, 8 p.m. ET; Sportsnet. CBC, TVA Sports. NBC*Game 5: Wednesday July 7, 8 p.m. ET; NBC Sportsnet, CBC Sportsnet, TVA Sports*Game 6: Friday July 9th, 8 p.m. ET; Sportsnet. CBC, TVA Sports. NBC*Game 7: Sunday July 11, 7 p.m. ET; NBC Sportsnet, CBC Sportsnet, TVA Sports*If requiredLightning @ Canadiens: Game 4Odds: Lightning –1.5DraftKings OddsYou can bet against the spread on Monday night by placing a wager on the Canadiens at +1.5. The Lightning is the best option if you want a "sure thing" or as close as sports betting can provide.Tampa Bay has been dominating Montreal since last season, even if it isn't in the Final. Tampa Bay has won seven consecutive games against Montreal, and five of its six previous Bell Centre games. The Canadiens did not make it to the Final by sheer luck; Montreal won five of its seven previous home games. However, falling to the Lightning 6-3 was a poor way for Montreal to open its home stretch.Andrei Vasilevskiy, Tampa Bay's stalwart goaltender, will play a major role in ensuring that the Bay wins Monday night. To increase his win streak against the Canadiens from February 2018 to 11, he made 32 saves in Game 3.The Lightning's blue line is also producing less than expected. So far, the series has seen defensemen score three goals and six assists. Four defensemen scored at most one point in Game 3 to score two goals and three assists. Victor Hedman, the alternate captain, scored a goal with an apple and Jan Rutta added another, while Erik Cernak, David Savard, and David Savard each had assists.Rutta stated that "for us as a 'D, it's always nice getting on the scoresheet even if it isn't our main goal," per Dan Rosen at NHL.com. It's a great confidence booster. You have to give credit to the forwards for giving the puck to us and getting to the net.Montreal's bench situation has clearly hampered the Habs. Dominique Ducharme, the coach, was isolated for two weeks following a positive COVID-19 result in the semifinals game against the Vegas Golden Knights. He missed six games all in all. With Luke Richardson as assistant coach, the Canadiens were 3-3.Choose: LightningYou can reach crisis counseling and referral services by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1 800 426-2537).Gambling problems? 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ/WV/PA), 1-800-9–WITH-IT(IN), 1-800-522-4700, 1-800-BETS OFF? (IA), 1-800-522-4700 or text the TNREDLINE: 800889-9789 (TN).21+ NJ/PA/WV/IN/IA/CO/IL/TN Meadows Racetrack & Casino in partnership There are some restrictions on eligibility. For more information, please visit draftkings.com/sportsbook
