A couple of teams that have put themselves firmly in playoff contention, the Boston Bruins and the Montreal Canadiens collide at Bell Centre. New England Sports Network will showcase this Original Six matchup, which gets going at 7:30 p.m. ET on Monday, December 17.
Boston Bruins vs. Montreal Canadiens Odds
Boston (+105) is playing the role of underdog to Montreal (-125), and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at an even 6 goals. The line for betting that total stands at -110 money on the over and -110 on the under.
The Canadiens are 17-16 straight up (SU) and have netted moneyline bettors 2.6 units this year. That early-season winning percentage is a refreshing turnaround from what the team did during the 2017-18 season (29-53). Among the team’s 33 games this season, 18 have gone over the total, while 14 have gone under and just one has pushed. This season, the team is 10-8 SU at home.
Montreal has converted on just 12.4 percent of its power play chances this year, a figure that’s ranked 31st overall in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 24th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 76.6 percent of all penalties.
Montreal, as a collective unit, has been whistled for penalties 4.0 times per game overall this season, 4.4 per game over its past five outings total, and 3.8 per game over its last five at home. The team has been forced to defend opponent power plays for 8.6 minutes per game over its last five home outings.
Averaging 25.8 saves per game with a .902 save percentage, Carey Price (13-13-4) has been the best option in goal for the Canadiens this year. If they decide to give him the evening off, however, the team may go with Antti Niemi (4-4-4 record, .876 save percentage, 4.14 goals against average).
Max Domi and Jonathan Drouin will both be focal points for the Canadiens. Domi (33 points) has put up 14 goals and 19 assists and has recorded two or more points in seven different games this year. Drouin has 11 goals and 17 assists to his credit and has notched at least one point in 19 contests.
On the other hand, Boston is 17-16 straight up (SU) and has lost 2.5 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year. Through 33 regular season contests, 20 of its games have gone under the total, while 11 have gone over and just one has pushed. Boston’s 6-12 SU as the road team this season.
Boston has scored on 25.2 percent of its power play chances this year, a mark that’s good enough for eighth-best in the league. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 23rd overall and it’s successfully killed off 77.1 percent of all opponent power plays.
Boston’s skaters have been penalized 4.2 times per game this season, and 2.8 per game over their last five road outings. The team’s been forced to kill penalties a whopping 15.4 minutes per game over their last five outings.
Jaroslav Halak (28.6 saves per game) has been the primary choice in goal for Boston. Halak has nine wins, nine losses, and two overtime losses to his credit, and has registered a .926 save percentage and 2.40 goals against average this year.
Leading the offensive attack for the visiting Bruins will be David Pastrnak (21 goals, 18 assists) and Brad Marchand (10 goals, 23 assists).
Boston Bruins at Montreal Canadiens Betting Predictions
Prediction: SU Winner \u2013 Bruins, O/U \u2013 Under
Betting Trends
- For both of these teams, the over has hit in four of their last five matchups.
- Two clubs that fire the puck toward the goal a lot, Boston has registered the league’s 10th-most shots on goal (32.4) and Montreal has attempted the fourth-most (34.5). The Bruins have averaged 40.6 shot attempts over their last five road games and the Habs have taken 41.8 shots over their last five home outings.
- Six of Boston’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 tougher teams in the league. Boston skaters have dished out the 10th-most hits in the league (22.8 per game) while the Habs have registered the second-most (27.4).
