In this article, we will formulate a Montreal Canadiens vs Pittsburgh Penguins prediction for this NHL game on Monday, October 14th 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 2-1-0 this year after they defeated Ottawa by a score of 4-1 in their last game. Montreal scored two goals in the first period and they didn’t allow a goal until the third period in the win. The Canadiens outshot Ottawa by a total of 26-25, recorded 17 hits, and went 1-4 on the power play in the game. Caufield (2), Heineman, and Newhook had the goals for Montreal, while Montembeault stopped 24 out of 25 shots for a .960 save percentage.
Montreal won their first game against Toronto by a score of 1-0, but they did lose to Boston by a score of 6-4 in their second game. Montreal has scored 3.00 goals per game and they have allowed 2.33 goals against per game, while also going 20% on the power play and 92.3% on the penalty kill. Cole Caufield has led Montreal with four goals and 10 shots, while Lane Hutson has added three assists. Sam Montembeault is 2-0-0 this year with a 0.50 goals-against average and a .986 save percentage.
Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Preview
The Pittsburgh Penguins are 1-2-0 this season after they lost to Toronto by a score of 4-2 in their last game. Pittsburgh led 1-0 after the first period, but they allowed the next three goals and didn’t score again until midway through the third in the loss. The Penguins were outshot by a total of 33-23, recorded 13 hits, and went 1-4 on the power play in the game. Rakell and Letang had the two goals for Pittsburgh, while Blomqvist saved 29 out of 32 shots for a .906 save percentage.
Pittsburgh opened the season with a 6-0 loss against the Rangers, but they bounced back with a 6-3 win over Detroit in their second game. Pittsburgh has scored 2.67 goals per game and they have allowed 4.33 goals against per game, while also going 22.2% on the power play and 90% on the penalty kill this year. Evgeni Malkin has led Pittsburgh with four assists and five shots, while Sidney Crosby has added three assists and nine shots. Joel Blomqvist is 1-1-0 this year with a 3.04 goals-against average and a .906 save percentage.
Why the Canadiens will beat the Penguins
- The Penguins have lost four of their last five games as road favorites.
- The home team has won eight of the Canadiens’ last nine games.
- The Penguins have failed to cover the puck line in nine of their last 10 games as road favorites against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The Canadiens have covered the puck line in eight of their last nine home games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- The Canadiens have won the first period in five of their last six games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Penguins’ last four games as favorites following a road loss has gone OVER the total goals line.
- Five of the Canadiens’ last six games against the Penguins following a win have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Penguins’ last 15 road games.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Canadiens’ last seven games as underdogs against Metropolitan Division opponents.
Montreal Canadiens Player Prop Facts
- Cole Caufield has scored at least one goal in each of the Canadiens’ last four games.
- Juraj Slafkovsky has recorded at least one point in each of the Canadiens’ last seven home games.
- Juraj Slafkovsky has recorded at least one assist in six of the Canadiens’ last seven games as home underdogs against Eastern Conference opponents.
Pittsburgh Penguins Player Prop Facts
- Evgeni Malkin has recorded at least one point in each of his last eight appearances at Bell Centre.
- Drew O’Connor has scored a goal in four of the Penguins’ last five games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- Sidney Crosby has recorded at least one assist in eight of the Penguins’ last nine games as favorites.
Montreal Canadiens vs Pittsburgh Penguins Prediction
Montreal comes into this matchup after picking up a nice win over Ottawa on Saturday, and they have had excellent goaltending from Montembeault in his two starts. Pittsburgh has allowed 13 goals in three games and this will be the third game of their current road trip. The Penguins are most likely going to be the better team this season, but we are getting plus money with the Canadiens at home and the better goalie. Take Montreal here.