Free NHL Picks Today: Montreal Canadiens vs Los Angeles Kings 12/10/22

The Montreal Canadiens (13-11-2) welcome the Los Angeles Kings (14-11-4) at Bell Centre on Saturday. Los Angeles is coming off a 5-0 loss against the Maple Leafs on Thursday.

The Kings committed four penalties in the game, conceding one power play goal. Jonathan Quick saved only 36 of 41 shots against (.878%) in the loss. Montreal beat the Kraken 4-2 on Tuesday. Four players found the net for the Canadiens. Jake Allen was impressive in the win, making 31 saves (.939%).

HEAD TO HEAD

The Kings won both games between the teams last season, including a 3-2 (OT) victory in their final meeting in November. Adrian Kempe, Brendan Lemieux, and Alex Iafallo were on the scoresheet for Los Angeles. Artturi Lehkonen led Montreal with two points (0G 2A). Cal Petersen got the win, saving 33 of 35 shots (.942%).

FACING OFF

Los Angeles is averaging 3.31 goals per game for the season, 12th in the NHL, and they are taking on a Canadiens team that is allowing 3.54 goals a game (23rd). Meanwhile, Montreal has found the net 2.96 times a game on average, 24th in the league, and the Kings are allowing opponents to score 3.59 goals per game (25th).

Montreal averages fewer shots a game (29.2) than most teams in the league, ranking 29th, though the team’s 10.5% shooting percentage is 12th. Los Angeles has struggled with stopping shots, ranking No. 32 with a team save percentage of .883%.

The Canadiens’ 16.05% power play percentage is the third-worst in the league, while the Kings rank ninth with a conversion rate of 25.49%. In terms of defending power plays, Montreal has the league’s 12th-ranked PK% at 79.55%, while Los Angeles is 26th at 71.88%.

TOP PERFORMERS:

With 30 points this season, Kevin Fiala is the top skater for the Kings. He has nine goals and 21 assists in 29 games. In the net, Quick (8-7-2) is Los Angeles’ top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 3.33 GAA and a .888% save percentage. Nick Suzuki leads the Canadiens in scoring with 29 points.

He has 14 goals (10th) and 15 assists. Sam Montembeault (5-2-2) has the best goals against average for Montreal at 2.97. He has a save percentage of .908%. Allen (8-9-0) has played the most games in net for the Canadiens this season. He has a 3.42 GAA and a .895% save percentage.