Key keywords: 2024 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs, Tampa Bay Lightning, Montreal Canadiens, Eastern Conference First Round Game 7, Stanley Cup series decider, NHL key player analysis, Game 7 final score predictions, NHL playoff picks The highly anticipated Eastern Conference First Round Game 7 between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Montreal Canadiens is set to drop the puck at Amalie Arena on Saturday night, capping off a wildly back-and-forth series that has seen neither team hold a lead of more than one game through the first six matchups. The Lightning, who entered the series as the No. 3 seed and heavy favorites, have leaned on their veteran core to battle back from two separate one-game deficits, while the No. 6 seed Canadiens have exceeded all preseason expectations by pushing the two-time Stanley Cup champions to the brink of elimination. For the Lightning, all eyes will be on former Hart Trophy winner Nikita Kucherov, who leads all skaters in the series with 3 goals and 6 assists for 9 total points, including a three-point outing in the Lightning’s 5-2 Game 6 road win to force the decider. Goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy, widely regarded as the best big-game netminder in the league, holds a .932 save percentage in 12 career Game 7 appearances, and has posted a 2.12 goals against average in three home starts against the Canadiens this series. Defenseman Victor Hedman, who has averaged 26 minutes of ice time per game in the series, will also be critical to shutting down Montreal’s high-flying top line and limiting their counterattack opportunities. For the Canadiens, team captain Nick Suzuki has been the engine of the offense, notching 7 assists and 2 goals through six games, while young winger Cole Caufield has scored 4 goals, including two game-winners on the road. Goaltender Sam Montembeault, who was named the Canadiens’ full-time starter midseason, has been the surprise of the series, posting a .941 save percentage against Tampa’s top-ranked power play, and has recorded two shutouts in his last three road starts. Recently returned forward Kirby Dach, who missed the first three games of the series with an upper-body injury, has added two goals in his three appearances to give the Canadiens extra depth up front. Expert predictions are split nearly evenly across the league. NHL.com’s official panel of analysts favors the Lightning by a narrow 60-40 margin, with the majority picking a 4-2 Tampa win on the strength of their home ice advantage and veteran playoff experience. Meanwhile, independent analysts at The Athletic are leaning slightly toward the Canadiens, with 7 of 12 contributors picking a 3-2 Montreal win in overtime, citing Montembeault’s hot streak and the Canadiens’ proven ability to thrive in underdog roles. League officials have already confirmed the winner will advance to face the No. 2 seed Toronto Maple Leafs in the Eastern Conference Second Round, adding extra stakes to the already high-pressure matchup.