Free NHL Picks Today: Nashville Predators vs Montreal Canadiens 1/3/23

The Montreal Canadiens (15-19-3) will be out to snap their losing streak when they travel to take on the Nashville Predators (15-14-6) at Bridgestone Arena on Tuesday. Montreal is wrapping up a seven-game road trip coming off a high-scoring 9-2 loss against the Capitals on Saturday, their fifth straight defeat.

The Canadiens committed six penalties in the game, conceding two power play goals. Cole Caufield was the only player to find the net, scoring twice for the Canadiens. Jake Allen saved only 31 of 40 shots against (.775%) in the loss.

Nashville fell 5-4 (OT) to the Golden Knights on Saturday. Filip Forsberg was the leading goal scorer for the Predators, netting a hat trick. Kevin Lankinen only had 27 saves on 32 shots against (.843%) in the loss.

HEAD TO HEAD

The teams split their two meetings last season, the last of which was a 4-3 (OT) victory for the Predators in December. Luke Kunin (1G 1A) and Mattias Ekholm (0G 2A) each had two points to lead Nashville. Caufield and Tyler Toffoli each had two points (0G 2A) to lead Montreal. Juuse Saros got the win despite saving only 20 of 23 shots (.869%).

FACING OFF

Montreal is averaging 2.59 goals per game for the season, 30th in the NHL, and they are taking on a Predators team that is allowing 3.03 goals a game (16th). Meanwhile, Nashville has found the net 2.63 times a game on average, 29th in the league, and will be looking to exploit the Canadiens’ weak defense, which is allowing opponents to score 3.73 goals per game (29th).

Montreal averages fewer shots per game (28.3) than most teams in the league, ranking 30th. Nashville’s average of 30.9 attempts ranks 19th.Power play opportunities are likely to be plentiful for the Predators, as the Canadiens are averaging 4.62 penalties per game, fifth-most in the NHL. The visitors’ 12.73 penalty minutes a game ranks first-highest.

The home team has been penalized 4.20 times a game (11th) for an average of 10.54 minutes (7th).The Canadiens’ 15.52% power play percentage is the second-worst in the league, while Nashville’s 16.67% conversion rate ranks fifth-lowest. In terms of penalty killing, Nashville has the league’s 17th-ranked PK% at 78.33%, while Montreal is 23rd at 74.24%.

TOP PERFORMERS:

With 32 and 30 points this season, Nick Suzuki and Caufield have been the top skaters for the Canadiens. In the net, Sam Montembeault (6-4-2) is Montreal’s top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 3.23 GAA and a .904% save percentage.

Allen (9-14-1) leads the Canadiens in games played in goal. He has a GAA of 3.29 and a save percentage of .900%.Forsberg leads the Predators in scoring with 32 points.

He has 14 goals and 18 assists in 35 games. Saros (12-10-5) is the top goalie for Nashville with a goals against average of 2.75. He has a save percentage of .916%.