Two teams that have underperformed this year, the Montreal Canadiens and the Detroit Red Wings face off at Little Caesars Arena in an Original Six showdown. The match will get started at 7:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, April 5, and it’s being shown live on Reseau Des Sports.
Montreal Canadiens at Detroit Red Wings Odds
Detroit (-140) is currently the favorite over Montreal (+120), and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 6 goals (-110 for the over, -110 for the under).
Detroit is 30-50 straight up (SU) and has lost 16.0 units for moneyline bettors thus far. That early-season winning percentage is fairly close to what the team produced during last year’s regular season (33-49). Of its 80 regular season contests, 44 have gone under the total, while 34 have gone over and just two have pushed. The team’s 16-23 SU at home this season.
The Red Wings have converted on just 17.4 percent of their power play chances this season, a mark that’s ranked 23rd overall in the NHL. On the other hand, their penalty kill is rated 23rd overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 77.7 percent of all penalties.
The Red Wings, as a collective unit, have been penalized 3.8 times per game overall this season, and 4.4 per game over their last ten contests. The team has had to kill penalties for just 7.2 minutes per game over their last five home outings.
With a .910 save percentage and 26.8 saves per game, Jimmy Howard (22-38-9) has been the primary option in goal for Detroit this season. If head coach Jeff Blashill decides to give him the evening off, however, Detroit may roll with Petr Mrazek (8-14-14 record, .910 save percentage, 2.89 goals against average).
The Wings will continue to rely on offensive production out of Dylan Larkin and Henrik Zetterberg. Larkin (60 points) has tallied 14 goals and 46 assists and has recorded two or more points 12 times this year. Zetterberg has 10 goals and 43 assists to his name and has recorded a point in 39 contests.
Montreal is 28-52 straight up (SU) and has lost 26.9 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year. Through 80 regular season outings, 42 of its games have gone under the total, while 36 have gone over and just two have pushed. As the away team, the Canadiens are 10-29 SU.
The Canadiens have converted on 21.3 percent of their power play chances this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 31st overall and it’s successfully defended 74.1 percent of all opponent power plays.
Montreal’s players have been penalized 3.8 times per game this season, 4.2 per game over their past five games total, and 3.6 per game over their last five road outings. The team has had to kill penalties just 7.8 minutes per game over their last five road outings.
Carey Price (27.4 saves per game) has been the primary option in goal for Montreal. Price has 16 wins, 32 losses, and seven OT losses to his credit, and has registered a .901 save percentage and 3.09 goals against average this year.
Leading the offensive attack for the visiting Canadiens will be Brendan Gallagher (30 goals, 22 assists) and Alex Galchenyuk (19 goals, 32 assists).
Montreal Canadiens at Detroit Red Wings Free Picks
Free NHL Tip: SU Winner – Canadiens, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Trends
Montreal is 2-6 in games decided by a shootout this season while Detroit is 5-1 in shootouts.
The total has gone over in four of Detroit’s last five outings.
Eight of Montreal’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 2-6 in those games.
Montreal skaters have accounted for the most hits in the league (26.6 per game).
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