Two teams squaring off for the second time this season, the Montreal Canadiens and the Florida Panthers face off at the BB&T Center for a divisional matchup. CBC Sports will air the game, and the opening face-off is at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 30.
Montreal Canadiens vs. Florida Panthers Odds
Florida (+110) is entering this one as the underdog to Florida (-130), and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 6 goals. The line for betting that total stands at -120 for the under and +100 for the over.
Florida is 16-21 straight up (SU) and has lost 5.4 units for moneyline bettors this year. That early-season winning percentage hasn’t moved much from what the team managed during last year’s regular season (35-47). Of its 37 regular season contests, 19 have gone under the total, while 18 have gone over and none have pushed. This year, the team is 9-9 SU at home.
The Panthers have converted on just 16.2 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s ranked 24th overall in the NHL. On the other hand, their penalty kill is rated 14th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 81.3 percent of all penalties.
As a collective unit, the Panthers have been penalized 4.5 times per game overall this season, and 5.2 per game over their last five home outings. The team’s had to kill penalties for 11.6 minutes per game over their last five home outings.
Averaging 28.3 saves per game with a .909 save percentage, James Reimer (10 wins, 14 losses, and four OT losses) has been the best option in goal for Florida this year. If Florida decides to give him the night off, however, the team might turn to Roberto Luongo (6-9-9 record, .928 save percentage, 2.62 goals against average).
Jonathan Huberdeau and Vincent Trocheck will both lead the offensive attack for the Panthers. Huberdeau (36 points) has tallied 13 goals and 23 assists and has recorded two or more points on nine different occasions this year. Trocheck has 14 goals and 21 assists to his credit and has notched at least one point in 26 contests.
Over on the other bench, Montreal is 16-22 straight up (SU) and has lost 9.9 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year. A total of 20 of its matches have gone under the total, while 16 have gone over and just two have pushed. As a road team so far, the Canadiens are 7-12 SU.
The Canadiens have converted on 19.1 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 29th overall and it’s successfully defended 77.2 percent of all penalties.
Montreal’s players have been penalized 4.0 times per game this season, 3.8 per game over their past five outings total, and 3.8 per game over their last five games as the visiting team. The team has had to defend opponent power plays just 8.1 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Carey Price (3.00 goals against average and .906 save percentage) has been the main option in goal for Montreal. Price is averaging 27.3 saves per game and owns an 11-14-2 record.
For the visiting Canadiens, the offense will run through Phillip Danault (seven goals, 14 assists) and Brendan Gallagher (15 goals, six assists).
Montreal Canadiens vs. Florida Panthers Betting Predictions
Predictions: SU Winner – Canadiens, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes
Montreal is 1-1 in games decided by a shootout this season while Florida is 2-2 in shootouts.
The total has gone under in three of Florida’s last five outings.
This game features two teams that have clobbered opposing goalies with shots. Montreal has taken the league’s eighth-most shots on goal (33.5) and Florida has attempted the seventh-most (34.2).
Florida has allowed 3.3 goals per game overall this year, but is allowing just 1.5 per contest across its four-game winning streak.
Six of Montreal’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 1-5 in those games.
Montreal skaters have accounted for the fourth-most hits in the league (24.6 per game), but the team’s averaged just 19.2 hits over their last five away games.
