The Montreal Canadiens, led by Max Domi and Jonathan Drouin, are ready to take the ice against William Karlsson, Jonathan Marchessault, and the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena in an East-West showdown. The action will get underway at 4 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 22 and it’s being televised live on AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain.
Montreal Canadiens vs. Vegas Golden Knights Odds
Vegas is 20-17 straight up (SU) and has lost 3.3 units for moneyline bettors thus far. That winning percentage, ranked 2nd in the Pacific Division in this young season, is a regression from the 51-31 record that the team posted during the 2017-18 season campaign. Among the team’s 37 games this season, 17 have gone under the total, while 17 have gone over and just one has pushed. The team’s 11-4 SU at home this season.
The Golden Knights have converted on 21.4 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked fifth overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 83.5 percent of all penalties.
Averaging 24.7 saves per game with a .907 save percentage, Marc-Andre Fleury (20-12-2) has been the most dependable goalkeeper for the Knights this season. If head coach Gerard Gallant decides to give him a rest, however, the team could go with the winless Malcolm Subban (0-6-6 record, .881 save percentage, 3.48 goals against average).
On the visitors’ side of the rink, Montreal is 18-18 straight up (SU) and has netted 0.1 units for moneyline bettors this season. Through 36 regular season matches, 18 of its games have gone over the total, while 16 have gone under the total and just one has pushed. As the visiting team this season, the Canadiens are 8-9 SU.
The Canadiens have converted on just 13.0 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a figure that’s ranked 29th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 25th overall and it’s successfully defended 77.1 percent of all opponent power plays.
Carey Price (2.84 goals against average and .905 save percentage) has been the primary option in goal for Montreal. Price is averaging 26.3 saves per game and has 14 wins, 15 losses, and four OT losses to his credit.
Montreal Canadiens vs. Vegas Golden Knights Betting Predictions
Free NHL Pick: SU Winner – Canadiens, O/U – Over
Betting Notes
- The Golden Knights are 1-1 in games decided by a shootout this season while the Canadiens are 2-0 in shootouts.
- This game features two teams that force a lot of shots on goal. Montreal has registered the league’s fifth-most shots on goal (34.0) while Vegas’s attempted the ninth-most (32.6).
- Four of Vegas’ last ten games have been decided by two or more goals. The club is 3-1 overall in those games.
- This game features two of the more aggressive teams in the league. Montreal skaters have accounted for the second-most hits in the league (27.8 per game) and the Golden Knights have tallied the fifth-most (27.0).
