Bell Centre will be the site for an Eastern Conference matchup as the Montreal Canadiens welcome the visiting New York Islanders. NBC Sports Network will showcase the matchup, and the opening face-off is at 7:30 p.m. ET on Monday, January 15.
New York Islanders at Montreal Canadiens Odds
New York (+105) is currently the underdog to Montreal (-125) and the oddsmakers have put the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals. The line for betting the total stands at -110 money on the over and -110 for the under.
New York is 22-22 straight up (SU) and has lost 1.6 units for moneyline bettors thus far. Through 44 regular season contests, 29 of its games have gone over the total, while 12 have gone under and just three have pushed. This 2017-18 Islanders team is 9-14 SU on the road.
New York has converted on 20.5 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s right around league average. Its penalty kill is ranked 31st overall, and it’s successfully killed off only 73.9 percent of its penalties.
The Isles, as a collective unit, have been sent to the penalty box just 3.6 times per game overall this season, and 4.8 per game over its last five contests. The team’s been forced to defend opponent power plays 13.0 minutes per contest over their last five road games.
Boasting a .906 save percentage and 29.0 saves per game, Jaroslav Halak (13-15-2) has been the best option in goal for New York this year. If New York chooses to rest him, however, the team might go with Thomas Greiss (9-11-2 record, .882 save percentage, 3.89 goals against average).
John Tavares and Josh Bailey will both lead the offensive attack for the visiting Islanders. Tavares has 52 points on 22 goals and 30 assists, and has recorded multiple points 15 times. Bailey has 12 goals and 38 assists to his name (and has notched a point in 28 games).
Montreal is 18-25 straight up (SU) and has lost 10.6 units for moneyline bettors thus far. 23 of its games have gone under the total, while 18 have gone over and just two have pushed. It’s 11-12 SU at home this season.
The Canadiens have converted on just 19.4 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 27th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 77.9 percent of all penalties.
Montreal players have been penalized 3.8 times per game in total this season, and 2.8 per game over their last five home outings. The team has been forced to kill penalties just 6.6 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Carey Price (28.3 saves per game) has been the primary selection in goal for the Canadiens. Price has 13 wins, 17 losses, and three OT losses and has recorded a pedestrian 2.88 goals against average and a .911 save percentage this year.
Alex Galchenyuk (11 goals, 13 assists) and Max Pacioretty (11 goals, 13 assists) will lead the offensive attack for the Habs.
New York Islanders vs. Montreal Canadiens Betting Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Canadiens, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes
Two of Montreal’s last ten games have ended in a shootout. The team is 1-1 in those games and 2-2 overall in shootouts this season.
The total has gone under in three of Montreal’s last five games.
Seven of New York’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 2-5 in those games.
The Canadiens this season have registered the third-most hits per game (24.8), but that average has climbed to 29.2 over their last five games as the home team.
