In their third and last head-to-head meeting of the regular season, the Montreal Canadiens and the Pittsburgh Penguins meet at PPG Paints Arena in an Eastern Conference showdown. The opening face-off takes place at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 31, and you’ll be able to catch the game live on Sportsnet 360.
Montreal Canadiens at Pittsburgh Penguins Odds
Pittsburgh (-290) is currently favored over Montreal (+245) and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at an even 6 goals (-115 for the over, -105 for the under).
Pittsburgh is 44-34 straight up (SU) and has recorded -3.5 units for moneyline bettors thus far. That winning percentage, the second-best in the Metropolitan Division in this young season, is a regression from the 50-32 record that the team managed during the 2016-17 season campaign. Through 78 regular season contests, 45 of the team’s games have gone over the total, while 31 have gone under and just two have pushed. The team’s 28-10 SU at home this year.
The Penguins enter the matchup with the second-best power-play unit in the NHL, as the team has converted on 25.7 percent of their extra-man advantages this season. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 19th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 79.8 percent of all penalties.
The Penguins, as a collective unit, have been whistled for penalties 4.0 times per game overall this season, 3.4 per game over their last five outings total, and 3.4 per game over their last five at home. The team has been forced to kill penalties for just 7.4 minutes per game over their last 10 outings, overall.
Averaging 26.3 saves per game with a .907 save percentage, Matt Murray (27 wins, 19 losses, and three OT losses) has been the best option in goal for the Pens this season. If head coach Mike Sullivan decides to give him the night off, however, Pittsburgh could roll with Tristan Jarry (15-11-11 record, .908 save percentage, 2.77 goals against average).
The Pens will continue looking for leadership from Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby. Malkin (93 points) has tallied 42 goals and 51 assists and has recorded two or more points 25 times this year. Crosby has 28 goals and 57 assists to his name and has recorded a point in 51 games.
Montreal is 28-49 straight up (SU) and has lost 23.9 units for bettors taking the moneyline thus far. A total of 41 of its contests have gone under the total, while 34 have gone over and just two have pushed. As the visiting team, the Canadiens are 10-28 SU.
The Canadiens have converted on 21.0 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 31st overall and it’s successfully killed off 74.5 percent of all opponent power plays.
Montreal’s skaters have been penalized 3.8 times per game in total this season, 3.8 per game over their past five outings total, and 3.8 per game over their last five on the road. The team has had to defend opponent power plays 8.8 minutes per contest over their last five road games.
Carey Price (27.3 saves per game) has been the primary option in goal for Montreal. Price owns a 16-30-6 record, while registering a .902 save percentage and 3.07 goals against average this year.
Leading the offensive counter for the visiting Canadiens will be Brendan Gallagher (30 goals, 19 assists) and Alex Galchenyuk (18 goals, 30 assists).
Montreal Canadiens at Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Predictions
Free NHL Pick: SU Winner – Penguins, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes
Pittsburgh is 2-2 in games decided by a shootout this season while Montreal is 2-6 in shootouts.
The over has hit in each of Pittsburgh’s last five outings.
This game features two offenses that attempt a heavy amount of shots on goal. Montreal has registered the league’s ninth-most shots on goal (32.9) while Pittsburgh has attempted the second-most (34.4).
Nine of Montreal’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 3-6 in those games.
This game features two of the more physical teams in the league. Montreal skaters have accounted for the league’s second-most hits per game (26.3) and the Pens have handed the eighth-most (23.7).
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