Free NHL Picks Today: Montreal Canadiens vs Anaheim Ducks 12/15/22

The Montreal Canadiens (-150) welcome the Anaheim Ducks (+130), who will be out to halt their losing streak, at Bell Centre on Thursday. The total is 6 (O: -115, U: -105)Anaheim (7-20-3) is coming off a 7-0 loss against the Maple Leafs on Tuesday, their third defeat in a row. The Ducks committed four penalties in the game, though they held Toronto without a power play goal.

John Gibson saved an impressive 25 of 27 shots (.925%) after starting in the loss. Montreal (14-13-2) is playing the second of a back-to-back after suffering a 3-2 loss against the Senators yesterday. Christian Dvorak and Kirby Dach each scored once for the Canadiens. Sam Montembeault saved only 28 of 31 shots against (.903%) in the loss.

HEAD TO HEAD

The Ducks won both games between the teams last season, including a 5-4 victory in their final meeting in January. Troy Terry led Anaheim with three points (1G 2A). Jake Evans (2G 0A) and Rem Pitlick (0G 2A) each had two points to lead Montreal. Anthony Stolarz got the win, saving 36 of 40 shots (.900%).

FACING OFF

Anaheim is averaging 2.27 goals per game for the season, worst in the NHL, and they are taking on a Canadiens team that is allowing 3.45 goals a game (23rd). Meanwhile, Montreal has found the net 2.83 times a game on average, 26th in the league, and the Ducks are allowing opponents to score a league-worst 4.27 goals per game.

Montreal averages fewer shots (29.1) than most teams in the league, ranking 30th. Anaheim has been one of the league’s least successful shot-stopping teams, ranking No. 28 with a team save percentage of .891%. Expect several power play opportunities for the Canadiens, as the Ducks are averaging 4.83 penalties per game, second-most in the NHL.

The visitors’ 12.27 penalty minutes a game ranks third-highest. The home team has been penalized 4.52 times a game (7th) for an average of 12.28 minutes (2nd). The Canadiens’ 13.83% power play percentage is the worst in the league, while Anaheim’s 14.29% conversion rate ranks second-lowest. Anaheim has been equally unimpressive at penalty killing, as the away team owns the league’s lowest PK% at 66.98%. Montreal’s 79.81% ranks 14th in the NHL.

TOP PERFORMERS:

With 27 points this season, Terry is the top skater for the Ducks. He has 11 goals and 16 assists in 30 games. In the net, Gibson (5-14-3) is Anaheim’s top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 3.99 GAA and a .896% save percentage.Nick Suzuki leads the Canadiens in scoring with 30 points.

He has 14 goals and 16 assists. Montembeault (5-2-2) has the best goals against average for Montreal at 2.97. He has a save percentage of .908%. Jake Allen (9-10-0) has played the most games in net for the Canadiens this season. He has a 3.26 GAA and a .901% save percentage.

HOME AND AWAY

Anaheim has lost nine in a row on the road this season. Montreal is 7-7-0 at Bell Centre this season. Meanwhile, the Canadiens are 3-1 without a day off and 2-1 playing with a rest disadvantage. The Ducks are 2-2 with a rest advantage.