Pittsburgh Penguins (12-14-4) vs. Montreal Canadiens (11-14-3)
December 12, 2024 7:00 pm EDT
The Line: Montreal Canadiens +113 / Pittsburgh Penguins -139; Over/Under: +6.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Pittsburgh Penguins and the Montreal Canadiens meet Thursday in NHL action from the Bell Centre. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Montreal Canadiens vs Pittsburgh Penguins Prediction.
Pittsburgh Penguins Recap
The Pittsburgh Penguins come into this game looking to bounce back after a 6-2 loss to the Colorado Avalanche last time out. After this game, the Penguins will head to Ottawa to take on the Senators.
Penguins Looking For Consistency
Evgeni Malkin has 25 points with 6 goals and a team-high 19 assists while Sidney Crosby has a team-high 27 points of his own with a team-high 8 goals and 19 assists. Rickard Rakell has 18 points with 11 goals and 7 assists and Erik Karlsson has 19 points with 2 goals and 17 assists. Bryan Rust also has 16 points with 9 goals and 7 assists and Marcus Pettersson has 13 points with 11 assists. In goal for the Penguins, Joel Blomqvist has gone 3-5 with a 3.60 GAA and a .904 save percentage while Tristan Jarry has gone 5-4-1 with a 3.81 GAA and an .881 save percentage this season. Alex Nedeljkovic is also 4-5-3 with a 3.42 GAA and an .882 save percentage on the year.
Why the Pittsburgh Penguins will win
- The Penguins have won each of their last 10 night games against the Canadiens following a loss.
- The Canadiens have lost each of their last eight games following a shootout win.
- The Penguins have covered the puck line in nine of their last 10 night games against the Canadiens following a loss.
- The Canadiens have failed to cover the puck line in six of their last eight games as home underdogs following a win.
Montreal Canadiens Recap
The Montreal Canadiens come into this game looking to add on to their 3-2 shootout win over Anaheim last time out. After this game, Montreal will head to Winnipeg to take on the Jets.
Canadiens Looking To Pick Up Another W At Home
Nick Suzuki has a team-high 29 points with 10 goals and a team-high 19 assists while Cole Caufield has 25 points with a team-high 17 goals. Mike Matheson has 13 assists while Juraj Slafkovsky has 15 points with 13 assists and Lane Hutson has 19 assists as well on the year. Brendan Gallagher has 13 points with 8 goals while Jake Evans has 14 points with 5 goals and 9 assists. In goal for Montreal, Sam Montembeault has gone 9-11-2 with a 2.83 GAA and a .906 save percentage while Cayden Primeau is 2-3-1 with a 4.45 GAA and an .844 save percentage this season.
Why the Montreal Canadiens will win
- The Penguins have lost eight of their last 11 games as road favorites.
- The underdogs have won five of the Penguins’ last seven games.
- The Canadiens have covered the puck line in seven of their last eight games as underdogs after coming off a shootout.
- The Penguins have failed to cover the puck line in five of their last six games as favorites.
Montreal Canadiens vs Pittsburgh Penguins Prediction
I’m on the Canadiens here. The Penguins just aren’t consistent enough for me to really trust them here even though they’ve won 5 straight against Montreal. Just when I’m ready to give Pittsburgh the benefit of the doubt, they blow it. Montreal has at least won three of their last 4 games and I think they can keep the winning run going here. Give me Montreal.
