In their second head-to-head meeting of the regular season, the Montreal Canadiens and the Boston Bruins clash at TD Garden in an Original Six showdown. The first puck will drop at 7:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 17, and fans at home can see the game live on NBC Sports Network.
Montreal Canadiens at Boston Bruins Odds
Montreal (+170) is entering this one as the underdog to Boston (-200) and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 6 goals. The odds for betting that total stand at -115 money on the over and -105 for the under.
The Bruins are 24-18 straight up (SU) and have netted 1.3 units for moneyline bettors this year. That winning percentage, ranked second in the Atlantic Division so far this season, is fairly close to what the team posted during last years regular season (44-38). Among its 42 games this season, 20 have gone under the total, while 20 have gone over and just one has pushed. This year, the teams 14-9 SU at home.
Boston has converted on 20.7 percent of its power play chances this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked eighth overall, and it’s successfully killed off 82.9 percent of all penalties.
Boston, as a collective unit, has been penalized 4.0 times per game overall this season, and 2.8 per game over its last five outings home outings. The teams had to kill penalties for just 8.2 minutes per game over its last 10 matchups, in total.
Averaging 25.2 saves per game with a .919 save percentage, Tuukka Rask (15-13-4) has been the best option in goal for the Bruins this year. If head coach Bruce Cassidy chooses to rest him, however, the Bruins might roll with Anton Khudobin (9-7-7 record, .924 save percentage, 2.40 goals against average).
Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak will both look to continue their strong seasons for the Bruins. Marchand (41 points) has tallied 18 goals and 23 assists and has recorded multiple points 13 times this year. Pastrnak has 17 goals and 22 assists to his credit and has notched at least one point in 27 contests.
Over on the other bench, Montreal is 18-26 straight up (SU) and has lost 12.0 units for bettors taking the moneyline thus far. A total of 23 of its contests have gone under the total, while 19 have gone over and just two have pushed. As the road team, Montreal is 7-13 SU so far.
Montreal has converted on 19.5 percent of its power play chances this season, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 26th overall and it’s successfully defended 78.2 percent of all penalties.
Montreal’s players have been penalized 3.8 times per game in total this season, and 2.6 per game over their past five games. The teams been forced to stave off opponent power plays just 6.4 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Carey Price (.908 save percentage and 2.95 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for Montreal. Price is averaging 28.0 saves per game and owns a 13-18-4 record.
Leading the offensive attack for the visiting Canadiens will be Alex Galchenyuk (11 goals, 15 assists) and Max Pacioretty (12 goals, 13 assists).
Montreal Canadiens at Boston Bruins Free Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Canadiens, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
- Three of Boston’s last ten games have gone to a shootout. The team is 2-1 in those games and 3-2 overall in shootouts this season.
- The over has hit in three of Boston’s last five outings.
- Six of Montreal’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 1-5 in those games.
- This game features two of the more aggressive defenses in the league. Montreal skaters have given out the leagues third-most hits per game (24.8) while the Bruins have recorded the sixth-most (23.9).
