In their final head-to-head meeting of the regular season, the Montreal Canadiens and the Colorado Avalanche face off at the Pepsi Center for an East-West showdown. This one will get underway at 9:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, February 14 and it can be seen live on Reseau Des Sports.
Montreal Canadiens vs. Colorado Avalanche Odds
Montreal (+100) is playing the role of underdog to Colorado (-120) and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 6 goals. The odds for betting that total sit at -105 for the over and -115 for the under.
Earning moneyline bettors 9.9 units, Colorado is 30-25 straight up (SU) overall thus far. That early-season winning percentage is a surprising turnaround from what the team did during last years regular season (22-60). Through 55 regular season contests, 30 of the teams games have gone over the total, while 23 have gone under and just two have pushed. The teams 19-8 SU at home this year.
The Avalanche have converted on 19.4 percent of their power play chances this season, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, their penalty kill is rated fifth overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 83.4 percent of all penalties.
As a collective unit, the Avalanche have been penalized 4.1 times per game overall this season, and 3.4 per game over their last ten contests. The team has been forced to stave off opponent power plays for just 7.1 minutes per game over their last 10 outings, overall.
With a .916 save percentage and 28.2 saves per game, Jonathan Bernier (17-12-2) has been the top option in goal for Colorado this season. If Colorado chooses to give him the night off, however, head coach Jared Bednar may go with Semyon Varlamov (14-15-15 record, .910 save percentage, 2.90 goals against average).
The Avs will continue to look for leadership out of Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen. MacKinnon (61 points) has tallied 24 goals and 37 assists and has recorded multiple points on 18 separate occasions this year. Rantanen has 17 goals and 35 assists to his name and has notched a point in 33 contests.
Montreal is 22-33 straight up (SU) and has lost 14.6 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year. A total of 30 of its contests have gone under the total, while 23 have gone over and just two have pushed. The Canadiens are 8-17 SU as the road team this season.
The Canadiens have converted on 21.6 percent of their power play chances this year, a figure that places it in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 24th overall and it’s successfully killed off 78.3 percent of all penalties.
Montreal’s players have been whistled for penalties 3.7 times per game in total this season, 3.6 per game over their past five contests total, and 3.8 per game over their last five on the road. The teams had to stave off opponent power plays just 7.8 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Carey Price (27.5 saves per game) has been the main option in goal for Montreal. Price has 15 wins, 25 losses, and five OT losses to his credit, while registering a .907 save percentage and 2.92 goals against average this year.
Leading the offensive counter for the visiting Canadiens will be Max Pacioretty (16 goals, 17 assists) and Brendan Gallagher (20 goals, 12 assists).
Montreal Canadiens at Colorado Avalanche Free Picks
NHL Pick: SU Winner – Avalanche, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- Montreal (2-3 in shootouts this season) has more experience in games decided by shootout. Colorado has only participated in two shootouts this year, winning one and losing the other.
- The total has gone under in three of Colorado’s last five outings.
- Seven of Colorado’s last ten outings have been decided by two or more goals. The club is 2-5 overall in those games.
- Montreal skaters have accounted for the leagues second-most hits per game (26.0).
