In this article we will formulate a Penguins vs Canadiens prediction for this NHL game on Sunday, December 21st at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.
Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Preview
The Pittsburgh Penguins are 14-11-9 this season after they lost to Montreal by a score of 4-0 in their last game. Pittsburgh allowed two goals in the first period, one in the second, and one in the third in the shutout loss. The Penguins out shot Montreal by a total of 31-21, won 60.9% of the face-offs, and went 0-3 on the power play in the game. Pittsburgh was led by Rakell, who had five shots on goal, while Skinner stopped 17 out of 20 shots, which was an .850 save percentage.
Prior to that game, Pittsburgh lost to the Senators by a score of 4-0 and the Oilers by a score of 6-4. The Penguins have lost eight games in a row and they are currently second to last in the Metro standings with 37 points. Pittsburgh has scored 3.12 goals per game and they have allowed 3.06 goals against per game, while also going 30.4% on the power play and 81.2% on the penalty kill this season. Sidney Crosby has led Pittsburgh with 19 goals and 16 assists, while Bryan Rust has added 12 goals and 16 assists. The projected starting goalie for Pittsburgh is Arturs Silovs, who is 4-5-6 with a 3.26 goals against average and an .890 save percentage this season.
Montreal Canadiens Betting Preview
The Montreal Canadiens are 19-12-4 this year after they defeated Pittsburgh by a score of 4-0 on Saturday. Montreal scored two late goals in the first period and never looked back in the shutout victory. The Canadiens recorded 21 shots on goal, won 39.1% of the face-offs, and went 1-1 on the power play in the game. Montreal got goals from Anderson (2), Beck, and Slafkovsky, while Fowler stopped all 31 shots in the shutout win.
Prior to that game, Montreal defeated the Blackhawks by a score of 4-1, but lost to the Flyers by a score of 4-1 before that. The Canadiens have won three of their last four games and they are currently second in the Atlantic standings with 42 points. Montreal has scored 3.18 goals per game and they have allowed 3.41 goals against per game, while also going 25.5% on the power play and 77.3% on the penalty kill this season. Nick Suzuki has led Montreal with 10 goals and 30 assists, while Cole Caufield has added 17 goals and 18 assists. The projected starting goalie for Montreal is Jakub Dobes, who is 12-5-2 with a 2.91 goals against average and an .893 save percentage this year.
Why the Montreal Canadiens will win
- The Penguins have lost each of their last 11 games on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- The Canadiens have won each of their last two games as underdogs on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- The Canadiens have covered the puck line in each of their last six road games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Penguins have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last four games on the second leg of a back-to-back against the Canadiens.
- The Penguins have lost the second period in each of their last seven games against Atlantic Division opponents when trailing after the first period.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Canadiens’ last eight Sunday games as road underdogs have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Each of the last four games between the Canadiens and Penguins at PPG Paints Arena have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Penguins’ last eight home games.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in seven of the Canadiens’ last eight night games against opponents on a losing streak.
Pittsburgh Penguins Player Prop Facts
- Sidney Crosby has recorded at least one assist in seven of the Penguins’ last eight games against the Canadiens at PPG Paints Arena.
- Bryan Rust has scored a goal in each of the Penguins’ last four home games.
Montreal Canadiens Player Prop Facts
- Oliver Kapanen has scored a goal in three of the Canadiens’ last four road games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- Lane Hutson has recorded at least one assist in five of the Canadiens’ last six games.
Penguins vs Canadiens Prediction
These two teams come into this matchup after playing on Saturday night, so Pittsburgh will look to split the back to back with a win here. The Penguins are 6-6-5 at home this year, while the Canadiens are 9-3-3 on the road. Montreal has won three of their last four games and they have scored at least four goals in four of their last five. The Canadiens have plenty of defensive issues this year, but Pittsburgh has lost eight games in a row and they have been shutout in back to back games. Take the Canadiens to get another win here on the road.