Florida Panthers vs Montreal Canadiens prediction 12-30-23 NHL Picks

The Montreal Canadiens will play the Florida Panthers on Saturday night at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida. Montreal has lost two of their last three games, while Florida has won three games in a row. Let’s take a look at the betting matchup and the Canadiens vs Panthers prediction.

Canadiens Preview

The Montreal Canadiens are 15-14-5 this year after they lost to Carolina by a score of 5-3 in their last game. Montreal tied the game at three in the third period, but allowed the final two goals for the loss. The Canadiens were out shot by a total of 31-21 and went 1-4 on the power play in the game. Montreal defeated Chicago by a score of 5-2 in the game before Carolina, but lost to Minnesota by a score of 4-3 prior to that. The Canadiens are scoring 2.79 goals per game and they are allowing 3.35 goals against per game, while going 17.9% on the power play and 72.9% on the penalty kill. Nick Suzuki has led Montreal with 10 goals, 20 assists, and 85 shots on goal. The projected starting goalie for Montreal is Jake Allen, who is 4-6-2 this year with a 3.43 goals against average and a .904 save percentage. 

Panthers Preview

The Florida Panthers are 21-12-2 this season after they defeated the Rangers by a score of 4-3 in their last game. Florida blew leads of 2-0 and 3-2, but they were able to score right after the Rangers tied the game at three for the win. The Panthers were out shot by a total of 34-32 and went 1-3 on the power play in the game. Florida has also defeated Tampa Bay and Vegas during this three game winning streak. The Panthers are scoring 2.91 goals per game and they are allowing 2.59 goals against per game, while going 18.3% on the power play and 83.3% on the penalty kill. Sam Reinhart has led Florida with 23 goals, 21 assists, and 88 shots on goal. The projected starting goalie for Florida is Anthony Stolarz, who is 4-3-1 this year with a 2.18 goals against average and a .915 save percentage. 

Florida Panthers Team Facts

The Panthers have won each of their last seven games against the Canadiens at Amerant Bank Arena.
The Panthers have covered the puck line in 14 of their last 16 games against Atlantic Division opponents.
The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in seven of the Panthers’ last eight home games against the Canadiens.
The favorites have won the second period in each of the last five games between the Canadiens and Panthers.

Montreal Canadiens Team Facts

The Canadiens have lost each of their last seven games at Amerant Bank Arena.
The underdogs have covered the puck line in seven of the Canadiens’ last eight games.
The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Canadiens’ last 11 games against Atlantic Division opponents.
The Canadiens have lost the third period in each of their last four games at Amerant Bank Arena following a road loss.

Florida Panthers Player Prop Facts

Sam Reinhart has scored the last goal in four of the Panthers’ last five games against Atlantic Division opponents at Amerant Bank Arena.
Sam Reinhart has scored at least one goal in four of the Panthers’ last five games as favorites.
Sam Reinhart has recorded at least one point in each of his last eight appearances against the Canadiens.
Aleksander Barkov has recorded at least one assist in each of his last six appearances with his team as a favorite against the Canadiens.
Aleksander Barkov ranks T1st in the Eastern Conference for Plus/Minus (+19) this season.

Montreal Canadiens Player Prop Facts

Josh Anderson has scored at least one goal in four of the Canadiens’ last five games as underdogs.
Nick Suzuki has recorded at least one point in each of his last seven Saturday appearances against Eastern Conference opponents.
Nick Suzuki has recorded at least one assist in five of the Canadiens’ last six games.
Nick Suzuki ranks 1st in the league for shootout goals (4) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

The Florida Panthers rank 2nd in the league for shots per game this season (34.1).
The Florida Panthers rank T2nd in the league in penalty minutes this season (418).
The Montreal Canadiens rank 31st in the league for Period 1 goals scored per game this season (0.56).
The Montreal Canadiens rank 29th in the league for shots against per game this season (33.5).

Canadiens vs Panthers Betting Prediction

The Panthers come into this game on a nice three game winning streak and they have defeated some very good teams, but they will be on a back to back here. Florida is 11-5-0 at home and they are one of the best defensive teams in the NHL so far this season. Montreal has won three of their last five games and they are 8-5-3 on the road. I really like how Florida is playing right now, but I think this could be a letdown spot. The Panthers just beat Vegas, Tampa Bay, and New York, and will be on a back to back. Give me the Canadiens and the nice plus money here.