Bell Centre is playing host an Eastern Conference matchup as the Montreal Canadiens take the ice against the visiting New York Islanders. The matchup gets underway at 7:30 p.m. ET on Monday, January 15, and you are able to witness the game live on NBC Sports Network.
New York Islanders at Montreal Canadiens Odds
New York (+105) is playing the role of underdog to Montreal (-125), and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at an even 6 goals (-110 for the over, -110 for the under).
New York is 22-22 straight up (SU) and has lost 1.6 units for moneyline bettors this year. 29 of its games have gone over the total, while 12 have gone under and just three have pushed. This 2017-18 Islanders team is 9-14 SU on the road.
New York has converted on 20.5 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 31st out of 31 teams, and the teams successfully killed off only 73.9 percent of all penalties.
New York, as a collective unit, has been called for penalties just 3.6 times per game this season, and 4.8 per game over its past five contests. The team has been forced to kill penalties 13.0 minutes per game over their last five road outings.
With a .906 save percentage and 29.0 saves per game, Jaroslav Halak (13-15-2) has been the primary option in goal for New York this season. If it decides to rest him, however, the team might turn to Thomas Greiss (9-11-2), who has a .882 save percentage and 3.89 goals against average this year.
John Tavares and Josh Bailey will both be relied on to facilitate things for the visiting Islanders. Tavares has 52 points on 22 goals and 30 assists, and has recorded multiple points 15 times. Bailey has 12 goals and 38 assists to his credit (and has logged at least one point in 28 games).
Montreal is 18-25 straight up (SU) and has lost 10.6 units for moneyline bettors thus far. 23 of its matches have gone under the total, while 18 have gone over and just two have pushed. This year, the teams 11-12 SU as the home team.
Montreal has converted on 19.4 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 27th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 77.9 percent of all opponent power plays.
Montreal skaters have been penalized 3.8 times per game in total this season, and 2.8 per game over their last five home outings. The team has been forced to stave off opponent power plays just 6.6 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Carey Price has denied 28.3 shots per game as the top selection in goal for Montreal. Price has 13 wins, 17 losses, and three overtime losses and has maintained a .911 save percentage and 2.88 goals against average this season.
Alex Galchenyuk (11 goals, 13 assists) and Max Pacioretty (11 goals, 13 assists) will pace the attack for the Habs.
New York Islanders at Montreal Canadiens Betting Predictions
Predictions: SU Winner – Canadiens, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
- The total has gone under in three of Montreal’s last five games
- Penalties and power plays could be extremely important in tonight’s matchup. The Islanders are 9-12 in games where they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 13-16 when they serve fewer than 10 total penalty minutes. The Canadiens are 5-7 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 13-17 in games where total penalty minutes are in the single digits.
- Two of Montreal’s last ten games have gone to a shootout. The team is 1-1 in those games and 2-2 overall in shootouts this year.
- Montreal is ranked 19th with 6.9 takeaways per game. That figure has trended upward recently, as it has forced 10.3 takeaways over its last 10 games and 11.4 takeaways over its last five.
- New York skaters have managed 3.8 takeaways per game over its last five road games, a drop-off from its season average of 6.1 takeaways per game (ranked 26th).
