A game between two teams riding winning streaks, the Montreal Canadiens and the Edmonton Oilers take the ice at Rogers Place for an East-West showdown. Sportsnet will showcase the game, and the opening face-off takes place at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 23.
Montreal Canadiens vs. Edmonton Oilers Odds
Edmonton is 16-19 straight up (SU) and has lost 6.8 units for moneyline bettors thus far. That early-season winning percentage is a noticeable slide from what the team recorded during last year’s regular season (47-35). Among its 35 games this season, 17 have gone over the total, while another 17 have gone under and just one has pushed. The team is 7-10 SU at home this season.
The Oilers have converted on just 16.3 percent of their power play chances this season, a mark that places them in the bottom-10 overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 30th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 73.2 percent of all penalties.
The Oilers, as a collective unit, have been whistled for penalties 4.1 times per game overall this season, and 3.2 per game over their last five at home. The team has been forced to kill penalties for just 8.4 minutes per game over their last 10 matchups, overall.
Averaging 26.0 saves per game with a .905 save percentage, Cam Talbot (13-12-1) has been the best option in goal for Edmonton this year. If head coach Todd Mclellan decides to give him the night off, however, the team might turn to Laurent Brossoit (3-10-10 record, .886 save percentage, 3.22 goals against average).
The Oilers will continue to lean on the leadership via Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. McDavid (41 points) has tallied 13 goals and 28 assists and has recorded multiple points in 10 different games this year. Draisaitl has eight goals and 18 assists to his name and has notched a point in 17 games.
Montreal is 16-19 straight up (SU) and has lost 8.1 units for moneyline bettors thus far. A total of 16 of its outings have gone over the total, while an additional 16 have gone under and just two have pushed. As the away team, the Canadiens are 7-9 SU so far.
The Canadiens have converted on 18.5 percent of their power play chances this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 26th overall and it’s successfully killed off 77.4 percent of all opponent power plays.
Montreal’s players have been penalized 3.9 times per game this season, 3.4 per game over their past five contests total, and 3.8 per game over their last five on the road. The team has been forced to kill penalties just 7.3 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Carey Price (26.9 saves per game) has been the primary choice in goal for Montreal. Price owns an 11-12-2 record, while registering a .904 save percentage and 3.04 goals against average this year.
Phillip Danault (seven goals, 14 assists) has been one of the top facilitators on offense for the visiting Canadiens.
Montreal Canadiens vs. Edmonton Oilers Betting Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Canadiens, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes
The total has gone under in three of Edmonton’s last five games.
Two clubs that take a heavy amount of shots on goal, Montreal has attempted the league’s seventh-most shots on goal (33.9) while Edmonton has attempted the fourth-most (34.6).
Edmonton is putting up 3.0 goals per game over its three-game winning streak.
This game features two of the tougher teams in the league. Montreal skaters have accounted for the fourth-most hits in the league (24.5 per game) while the Oilers have registered the second-most (27.1).
