Bell Centre is playing host an Original Six matchup as the Montreal Canadiens take the ice against the visiting Boston Bruins. CBC Sports will showcase the game, which gets underway at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 13.
Boston Bruins at Montreal Canadiens Odds
Boston (+120) is playing the role of underdog to Boston (-140) and the oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals. The line for betting that total stands at -105 money on the over and -115 on the under.
Boston is 23-17 straight up (SU) and has netted 1.9 units for moneyline bettors this year. 20 of its outings have gone under the total, while 19 have gone over and just one has pushed. This 2017-18 Bruins team is 9-9 SU on the road.
Boston has converted on 20.8 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a figure that places them in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 10th overall, and it has successfully killed off 82.9 percent of all penalties.
The Bruins, as a collective unit, have been called for penalties 4.1 times per game overall this season, and 3.4 per game over its last five road outings. The team’s been forced to defend opponent power plays just 7.8 minutes per game over their last five outings.
With a .920 save percentage and 25.1 saves per game, Tuukka Rask (14-13-4) has been the top option in goal for Boston this season. If head coach Bruce Cassidy decides to rest him, however, Boston could roll with Anton Khudobin (9-6-3), who has a .925 save percentage and 2.37 goals against average this year.
Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak will both lead the offensive attack for the visiting Bruins. Marchand has 40 points via 17 goals and 23 assists, and has recorded two or more points 12 times. Pastrnak has 17 goals and 22 assists to his creditand has notched at least one point in 26 games.
Montreal is 18-24 straight up (SU) and has lost 9.6 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 42 regular season matches, 23 of its games have gone under the total, while 17 have gone over and just two have pushed. The team is 11-11 SU at home this year.
The Canadiens have converted on just 19.2 percent of their power play chances this season, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 26th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 78.4 percent of all opponent power plays.
Canadiens players have been penalized 3.9 times per game in total this season, 3.8 per game over their past five games total, and 3.4 per game over their last five at home. The team has had to kill penalties just 6.8 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Carey Price has denied 28.3 shots per game as the top netminder in goal for the Canadiens. Price has 13 wins, 16 losses, and two OT losses to his name and has registered a pedestrian 2.89 goals against average and a .911 save percentage this season.
The home team offense will be led by Max Pacioretty (10 goals, 13 assists) and Alex Galchenyuk (10 goals, 13 assists).
Boston Bruins vs. Montreal Canadiens Free Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Canadiens, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes
Two of Boston’s last ten games have been decided by a shootout. The team is 1-1 in those games and 2-2 overall in shootouts this season.
The total has gone under in four of Montreal’s last five outings.
Over Boston’s last ten games, seven of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 7-0 in those games).
This game features two of the more physical teams in the league. Boston skaters have accounted for the league’s seventh-most hits per game (23.4) while the Habs have recorded the fourth-most (24.4).
