The Anaheim Ducks and Montreal Canadiens meet Sunday in NHL action at the Bell Centre. Here’s a Canadiens vs. Ducks prediction. This article will include a Canadiens vs. Ducks pick.
Anaheim Ducks Betting Preview
The Anaheim Ducks lost to the Maple Leafs and Senators, and they play the Flyers next. The Ducks have split their last 8 games.
The Anaheim Ducks are averaging 3.2 goals per game and are scoring 17.2 percent of their power play opportunities. Cutter Gauthier leads Anaheim with 33 goals, Jackson LaCombe has 38 assists and Beckett Sennecke has 159 shots on goal. Defensively, the Anaheim Ducks are allowing 3.48 goals per game and are killing 77.2 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Ville Husso has given up 42 goals on 412 shots faced, while Lukas Dostal has allowed 133 goals on 1,222 shots.
Montreal Canadiens Betting Preview
The Montreal Canadiens lost to the Sharks, beat the Senators, and play the Bruins next. The Canadiens have split their last 10 games.
The Montreal Canadiens are averaging 3.51 goals per game and are scoring on 24.7 percent of their power play opportunities. Cole Caufield leads Montreal with 38 goals, Lane Hutson has 55 assists and Juraj Slafkovsky has 134 shots on goal. Defensively, the Montreal Canadiens are allowing 3.25 goals per game and are killing 76.8 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Jakub Dobes has given up 92 goals on 843 shots faced, and Sam Montembeault has allowed 81 goals on 635 shots.
Why the Montreal Canadiens will win
- The Ducks have lost eight of their last nine road games on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- The Canadiens have won seven of their last eight games against opponents on a losing streak.
- The Canadiens have covered the puck line in each of their last eight games against opponents on a losing streak.
- The Ducks have failed to cover the puck line in eight of their last nine games following a road loss.
- The Canadiens have won the third period in each of their last seven night games against opponents on a losing streak.
Why the Anaheim Ducks will win
- The underdogs have won five of the Canadiens’ last six games.
- The Canadiens have lost four of their last five games as favorites on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- The Canadiens have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last 12 games as favorites on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- The underdogs have covered the puck line in 17 of the Canadiens’ last 19 games.
- The underdogs have won the second period in each of the Canadiens’ last six games.
Total Goals Facts
- Seven of the Canadiens’ last eight home games against opponents who are on the second leg of a back-to-back have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Seven of the Ducks’ last eight night games against Atlantic Division opponents have gone OVER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Canadiens’ last six night games.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in nine of the Ducks’ last 10 games following a road loss.
Montreal Canadiens Player Prop Facts
- Cole Caufield has scored at least one goal in five of the Canadiens’ last six games as home favorites.
- Nick Suzuki has recorded at least one assist in nine of the Canadiens’ last 10 games as favorites against Pacific Division opponents.
Anaheim Ducks Player Prop Facts
- Mikael Granlund has scored at least one goal in four of his last five appearances after playing the previous day.
- Jackson LaCombe has recorded an assist in seven of the Ducks’ last eight games against opponents who are playing on the second leg of a back-to-back.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Montreal Canadiens rank 2nd in the league for goals per game this season (3.51).
- The Montreal Canadiens rank 6th in the league in power play percentage this season (24.73%).
- The Anaheim Ducks rank 31st in the league for goals against per game this season (3.48).
- The Anaheim Ducks rank 25th in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (77.21%).
Canadiens vs Ducks Prediction
While you can argue the plus money has value given these are two legit playoff teams. You can make a case for either side. However, with both teams on the end of a back-to-back, the Canadiens have the edge at home given they don’t have to travel. The Ducks will play their fourth straight road game and they’re coming off a shutout loss to the Senators. The home team has won 7 of the last 10 games between the Ducks and Habs. I’m going to side with the Canadiens on their home ice.