The Vancouver Canucks (-130) travel to take on the Montreal Canadiens (+110) at Bell Centre on Wednesday. The total is 6.5 (O: -130, U: +110)Both teams will be playing the second of a back-to-back. The Canucks are 1-1 without a day off, while the Canadiens are 0-1. Vancouver (4-6-3) is coming off a high-scoring 6-4 win over the Senators yesterday.
The Canucks committed seven penalties in the game, conceding two power play goals. Bo Horvat was the top goalscorer for the Canucks with two goals in regulation. Spencer Martin allowed four goals on 41 shots against (.902%) in the win.
Montreal (6-6-1) is playing the first of four games at home after a 3-2 shootout win over the Red Wings yesterday, snapping a three-game losing streak. Mike Hoffman was the leading goal scorer for the Canadiens, netting twice. Jake Allen saved 41 of 43 shots in the win (.953%).
HEAD TO HEAD
The Canucks won both games between the teams last season, including a 5-3 victory in their final meeting in March. J.T. Miller led Vancouver with four points (1G 3A). Artturi Lehkonen (2G 1A) and Rem Pitlick (1G 2A) each had three points to lead Montreal. Thatcher Demko got the win despite allowing three goals on 25 shots (.880%).
FACING OFF
Vancouver is averaging 3.62 goals per game for the season, fourth in the NHL, and they are taking on a Canadiens team that is allowing 3.23 goals a game (17th). Meanwhile, Montreal has found the net 2.77 times a game on average, 27th in the league, and the Canucks are allowing opponents to score 4.00 goals per game (30th).
The Canucks’ 28.26% power play percentage is the fifth-best in the league, while the Canadiens rank 28th with a conversion rate of just 14.71%. While efficient on the power play, Vancouver has been less impressive at penalty killing, as the away team possesses the league’s lowest PK% at 60.47%. Montreal’s 80.43% ranks 11th in the NHL.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With 17 and 16 points this season, Elias Pettersson and Horvat have been the top skaters for the Canucks. Horvat is among the league leaders with his 12 goals (2nd). In the net, Demko (1-6-2) is Vancouver’s top goaltender.
He has a 3.90 GAA and a .879% save percentage. Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield lead the Canadiens in scoring with 15 and 14 points, respectively. Suzuki has eight goals (6th) and seven assists in 13 games, while Caufield has eight goals (6th) and six assists ().
Sam Montembeault (2-1-1) has the best goals against average for Montreal at 2.47. He has a save percentage of .928%. Allen (3-5-0) has played the most games in net for the Canadiens this season. He has a 3.28 GAA and a .900% save percentage.
HOME AND AWAY
Vancouver is 2-3-2 on the road this season. Montreal has won three in a row at Bell Centre this season.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Vancouver Canucks (-125)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
