The Montreal Canadiens (+130) welcome the Pittsburgh Penguins (-150) at Bell Centre on Saturday. The total is 6.5 (O: -110, U: -110)Pittsburgh (6-6-2) is playing the second of a back-to-back after earning a 4-2 win over the Maple Leafs yesterday.
The Penguins conceded a power play goal while failing to take advantage of their own limited power play opportunities. Four players found the net for the Penguins. Evgeni Malkin scored and provided an assist to lead the team in scoring. Casey DeSmith saved an impressive 28 of 30 shots (.933%) in the win.
Montreal (7-6-1) beat the Canucks 5-2 on Wednesday. Kirby Dach was the leading goal scorer for the Canadiens, netting twice. Sam Montembeault was impressive in the win, making 31 saves (.939%).
HEAD TO HEAD
The Canadiens won the first meeting between the teams this season, a 3-2 (OT) victory in October. Nick Suzuki (1G 1A) and Kaiden Guhle (0G 2A) each had two points to lead Montreal. Malkin (2G 0A) and Bryan Rust (0G 2A) each had two points to lead Pittsburgh. Montembeault got the win, saving 26 of 28 shots (.928%).
FACING OFF
Pittsburgh is averaging 3.57 goals per game for the season, eighth in the NHL, and they are taking on a Canadiens team that is allowing 3.14 goals a game (17th). Meanwhile, Montreal has found the net 2.93 times a game on average, 19th in the league, and the Penguins are allowing opponents to score 3.36 goals per game (21st).
The Canadiens’ 15.79% power play percentage is the fifth-worst in the league, while the Penguins rank 24th with a conversion rate of 18.37%. In terms of defending power plays, Montreal has the league’s 12th-ranked PK% at 81.25%, while Pittsburgh is 23rd at 75.00%.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With 16 and 15 points this season, Sidney Crosby and Malkin have been the top skaters for the Penguins. Both have six goals in 14 games. Crosby also has 10 assists, while Malkin has set up nine goals for teammates.
In the net, DeSmith (1-3-1) is Pittsburgh’s top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 2.80 GAA and a .913% save percentage. Tristan Jarry (4-3-1) leads the Penguins in games played in goal. He has a GAA of 3.38 and a save percentage of .903%.Suzuki leads the Canadiens in scoring with 17 points.
He has nine goals (8th) and eight assists in 14 games. Montembeault (3-1-1) has the best goals against average for Montreal at 2.38. He has a save percentage of .930%. Jake Allen (4-5-0) has played the most games in net for the Canadiens this season. He has a 3.11 GAA and a .907% save percentage.
HOME AND AWAY
Pittsburgh is 3-5-1 away from home this season. Montreal is 4-3-0 at Bell Centre this season. Meanwhile, the Penguins are 0-3 without a day off and 0-3 playing with a rest disadvantage.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Over 6.5 Goals (-110)
Want up to a $1K risk free bet for this pick?
Claim with 
today!
If you need more news, information and predictions, head over to our NHL hub page for all your hockey needs!
*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
