Free NHL Picks Today: Montreal Canadiens vs Pittsburgh Penguins 10/17/22

The Pittsburgh Penguins (2-0-0) travel to face the Montreal Canadiens (1-2-0) at Bell Centre on Monday. Pittsburgh is coming off a high-scoring 6-2 win over the Lightning on Saturday. The Penguins committed four penalties in the game, conceding one power play goal. Six players found the net for the Penguins. Sidney Crosby scored and provided two assists to lead the team in scoring. Tristan Jarry saved an impressive 34 of 36 shots (.944%) in the win. Montreal is returning home for a five-game homestand after a 3-1 loss against the Capitals on Saturday. Nick Suzuki netted the lone goal for the Canadiens. Sam Montembeault saved only 26 of 29 shots against (.896%) in the loss.

HEAD TO HEAD

The Penguins won two of the three games between the teams last season, including a 5-2 victory in their final meeting in December. Evan Rodrigues led Pittsburgh with three points (1G 2A). Jarry got the win, saving 28 of 30 shots (.933%).

FACING OFF

Pittsburgh is averaging 6.00 goals per game so far this season, best in the NHL, and they are taking on a Canadiens team that is allowing 3.00 goals a game (15th). Meanwhile, Montreal has found the net 1.67 times a game on average, 28th in the league, and the Penguins are allowing opponents to score 2.00 goals per game (6th).Pittsburgh averages more shots (49.0) than any other team in the league. Montreal’s average of 24.7 attempts ranks 31st.

TOP PERFORMERS:

With six points early this season, Crosby is the top skater for the Penguins. He has two goals and four assists in two games. In the net, Jarry (2-0-0) is Pittsburgh’s top goaltender. He has a 2.02 GAA and a .938% save percentage. Cole Caufield (2G 1A) and Suzuki (1G 2A) lead the Canadiens in scoring on the season with three points each. Jake Allen (1-1-0) has the best goals against average for Montreal at 2.03. He has a save percentage of .943%.