The Montreal Canadiens and Nashville Predators meet Saturday in NHL action at the Bridgestone Arena. Here’s a Predators vs. Canadiens Prediction. This article will include a Predators vs. Canadiens Pick.
Montreal Canadiens Betting Preview
The Montreal Canadiens beat the Blue Jackets and the Hurricanes and play the Hurricanes next. The Canadiens have won 7 of their last 10 games.
The Montreal Canadiens are averaging 3.51 goals per game and are scoring on 4.8 percent of their power play opportunities. Cole Caufield leads Montreal with 44 goals, Nick Suzuki has 62 assists and Juraj Slafkovsky has 152 shots on goal. Defensively, the Montreal Canadiens are allowing 3.18 goals per game and are killing 76.4 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Jakub Dobes has given up 99 goals on 968 shots faced, and Sam Montembeault has allowed 81 goals on 635 shots.
Nashville Predators Betting Preview
The Nashville Predators beat the Sharks and lost to the Devils, and they play the Lightning next. The Predators have won 6 of their last 9 games.
The Nashville Predators are averaging 2.96 goals per game and are scoring 23.1 percent of their power play opportunities. Steven Stamkos leads Nashville with 36 goals, Ryan O’Reilly has 42 assists and Filip Forsberg has 221 shots on goal. Defensively, the Nashville Predators are allowing 3.31 goals per game and are killing 80.6 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Juuse Saros has allowed 159 goals on 1,513 shots faced, and Justus Annunen has given up 61 goals on 596 shots.
Why the Nashville Predators will win
- The Canadiens have lost each of their last five games as road favorites.
- The Predators have won four of their last five games as home underdogs following a loss.
- The Canadiens have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last 17 games as road favorites.
- The underdogs have covered the puck line in each of the last six games between the Canadiens and Predators.
- The Predators have won the first period in each of their last four home games against the Canadiens.
Why the Montreal Canadiens will win
- The Canadiens have won each of their last four games against the Predators.
- The Predators have lost three of their last four games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The Canadiens have covered the puck line in four of their last five games against Central Division opponents.
- The Predators have failed to cover the puck line in four of their last five home games against opponents on a winning streak.
- The Canadiens have won the second period in each of their last eight games when trailing after the first period.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Canadiens’ last seven games against the Predators following a win has gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Each of the Predators’ last six night games against Atlantic Division opponents at Bridgestone Arena has gone OVER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Predators’ last eight games as home underdogs against opponents on a winning streak.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in seven of the Canadiens’ last eight games against Central Division opponents.
Nashville Predators Player Prop Facts
- Steven Stamkos has scored the first goal in each of his last three appearances with his team as an underdog against the Canadiens.
- Steven Stamkos has scored a goal in each of his last five appearances with his team as an underdog against the Canadiens.
- Ryan O’Reilly has recorded at least one assist in each of his last eight appearances against Atlantic Division opponents.
- Steven Stamkos ranks 1st in the league for Game Winning Goals (10) this season.
Montreal Canadiens Player Prop Facts
- Cole Caufield has scored at least one goal in each of the Canadiens’ last six Saturday night games.
- Nick Suzuki has recorded at least one assist in 10 of the Canadiens’ last 11 road games.
- Cole Caufield ranks 2nd in the league for Goals (44) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Nashville Predators rank 26th in the league for goals against per game this season (3.31).
- The Nashville Predators rank T1st in the league in short-handed goals allowed this season (2).
- The Montreal Canadiens rank 3rd in the league for goals per game this season (3.51).
- The Montreal Canadiens rank 4th in the league in power play percentage this season (24.75%).
Predators vs Canadiens Prediction
The Predators need wins to keep their playoff hopes alive and home ice helps, but the bottom line is the Habs are the better team from top to bottom. If leaning toward the Preds, I’d need more bang for my buck. If you’re going to give me this soft price, I’m going to usually back the better team regardless of the venue. The Habs have also won four straight games against the Predators. Give me the road team and the soft price.