Canadiens vs Bruins Prediction 3/17/26 NHL Picks Today

In this article we will formulate a Canadiens vs Bruins prediction for this NHL game on Tuesday, March 17th at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.

Montreal Canadiens Betting Preview

The Montreal Canadiens are 36-20-10 this season after they lost to the Ducks by a score of 4-3 in their last game. Montreal led 3-2 in the second period, but they allowed the last two goals in the game for the loss. The Canadiens out shot Anaheim by a total of 30-28, won 52.6% of the face-offs, and went 0-4 on the power play in the game. Montreal got goals from Caufield, Newhook, and Suzuki, while Fowler stopped 24 out of 28 shots, which was an .857 save percentage. 

Prior to that game, Montreal lost to the Sharks by a score of 4-2, but did beat the Senators by a score of 3-2 before that. The Canadiens have won three of their last five games and they are currently third in the Atlantic standings with 82 points. Montreal has scored 3.50 goals per game and they have allowed 3.26 goals against per game, while also going 24.2% on the power play and 76.9% on the penalty kill this season. Nick Suzuki has led Montreal with 23 goals and 55 assists, while Lane Hutson has added 11 goals and 56 assists. The projected starting goalie for Montreal is Jakub Dobes, who is 21-7-4 with a 2.97 goals against average and an .891 save percentage this season. 

Boston Bruins Betting Preview

The Boston Bruins are 37-23-7 this year after they lost to the Devils in overtime by a score of 4-3 in their last game. Boston led 2-0 after the first period, but they needed a goal in the third to tie the game, before losing with seven seconds left in OT. The Bruins were out shot by a total of 34-22, won 52.1% of the face-offs, and went 0-3 on the power play in the game. Boston got goals from Pastrnak (2) and Zacha, while Korpisalo stopped 30 out of 34 shots, which was an .882 save percentage.

Prior to that game, Boston defeated the Capitals by a score of 3-2, but did lose to the Sharks by a score of 4-2 before that. The Bruins have alternated wins and losses over their last 11 games and they are currently fifth in the Atlantic standings with 81 points. Boston has scored 3.27 goals per game and they have allowed 3.10 goals against per game, while also going 23.8% on the power play and 77.6% on the penalty kill this season. David Pastrnak has led Boston with 26 goals and 55 assists, while Morgan Geekie has added 34 goals and 23 assists. The projected starting goalie for Boston is Jeremy Swayman, who is 26-14-3 with a 2.77 goals against average and a .906 save percentage this season. 

Why the Montreal Canadiens will win

• The Bruins have lost each of their last six road games on the second leg of a back-to-back.
• The home team has won 16 of the Bruins’ last 18 games.
• The Canadiens have covered the puck line in each of their last four games against Atlantic Division opponents.
• The Bruins have failed to cover the puck line in four of their last five games at Bell Centre.
• The Canadiens have won the second period in each of their last six games when trailing after the first period.

Why the Boston Bruins will win

• The Bruins have won each of their last five games as an underdog when playing with a rest disadvantage.
• The Canadiens have lost four of their last five games as favorites.
• The Bruins have covered the puck line in 17 of their last 18 games as underdogs against opponents on a losing streak.
• The Canadiens have failed to cover the puck line in seven of their last eight games as favorites against opponents who are on the second leg of a back-to-back.
• The Canadiens have lost the third period in each of their last six home games against Eastern Conference opponents when trailing after the second period.

Total Goals Facts

• Each of the Bruins’ last 10 Tuesday games as underdogs have gone OVER the total goals line.
• Seven of the Canadiens’ last eight games against the Bruins following a loss have gone OVER the total goals line.
• Each of the last four games between two teams from the Atlantic Division have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Bruins’ last nine road games against opponents on a losing streak.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in eight of the Canadiens’ last nine home games against Atlantic Division opponents.

Montreal Canadiens Player Prop Facts

• Cole Caufield has scored at least one goal in each of the Canadiens’ last six games against the Bruins.
• Nick Suzuki has recorded at least one assist in each of the Canadiens’ last five games against the Bruins.
• Cole Caufield ranks 2nd in the league for Goals (39) this season.

Boston Bruins Player Prop Facts

• David Pastrnak has scored at least one goal in five of his last six appearances after playing the previous day.
• David Pastrnak has recorded at least one assist in each of his last nine Tuesday appearances against Atlantic Division opponents.
• David Pastrnak has recorded at least four shots in each of his last three appearances – equal-longest active streak in the league.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Montreal Canadiens rank T2nd in the league for goals per game this season (3.50).
• The Montreal Canadiens rank 27th in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (76.92%).
• The Boston Bruins rank 8th in the league in power play percentage this season (23.76%).
• The Boston Bruins rank 31st in the league for power play goals against this season (53).

Canadiens vs Bruins Prediction

Boston comes into this matchup after losing to the Devils on Monday night and they have gone to overtime in four of their last five games. The Bruins are 12-14-6 on the road this year, while the Canadiens are 18-13-2 at home. Montreal has dropped two in a row, but they are currently third in the division, so every game is very important. These two teams are pretty evenly matched and Boston saved Swayman last night, so I think the Bruins have some value with the plus money. Take Boston here.