Bell Centre plays host to an Original Six showdown as the Detroit Red Wings face off against the Montreal Canadiens. Reseau Des Sports will showcase the game, which gets underway at 7:30 p.m. ET on Monday, March 26.
Detroit Red Wings at Montreal Canadiens Odds
Montreal (-150) is currently favored over Detroit (+130) and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 6 goals. The line for betting the total stands at -110 for the over and -110 on the under.
Losing -24.9 units for moneyline bettors, Montreal is 27-49 straight up (SU) overall thus far. That early-season winning percentage is a regression from the 47-35 record that the team posted during last year’s regular season campaign. 41 of the team’s 76 matches have gone under the total, while 33 have gone over and just two have pushed. The team’s 17-21 SU at home this year.
The Canadiens have converted on 20.4 percent of their power play chances this season, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 31st overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 74.4 percent of all penalties.
As a collective unit, the Canadiens have been penalized 3.8 times per game overall this season, 3.8 per game over their last five matchups total, and 4.0 per game over their last five home outings. The team’s had to kill penalties for 12.0 minutes per game over their last five home outings.
Averaging 27.3 saves per game with a .901 save percentage, Carey Price (15 wins, 30 losses, and six OT losses) has been the best goalkeeper for the Habs this season. If Montreal decides to give him the night off, however, the team may turn to Antti Niemi (6-16-16 record, .916 save percentage, 3.02 goals against average).
The Habs will continue looking for leadership out of Brendan Gallagher and Alex Galchenyuk. Gallagher (47 points) has tallied 28 goals and 19 assists and has recorded two or more points in seven different games this year. Galchenyuk has 17 goals and 29 assists to his credit and has recorded at least one point in 33 contests.
On the other side of the rink, Detroit is 27-48 straight up (SU) and has lost 18.1 units for moneyline bettors this year. A total of 43 of its outings have gone under the total, while 30 have gone over and just two have pushed. The Red Wings are 13-25 SU as the road team this season.
The Red Wings have converted on just 17.2 percent of their power play chances this season, a mark that’s ranked 24th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 22nd overall and it’s successfully killed off 78.5 percent of all opponent power plays.
Detroit’s players have been penalized 3.7 times per game in total this season, and 4.6 per game over their last five road outings. The team’s had to stave off opponent power plays 13.2 minutes per game over their last five road outings.
Jimmy Howard (2.88 goals against average and .909 save percentage) has been the main option in goal for Detroit. Howard is averaging 26.6 saves per game and owns a 19-37-8 record.
For the visiting Red Wings, the offense will run through Dylan Larkin (12 goals, 42 assists) and Henrik Zetterberg (10 goals, 38 assists).
Detroit Red Wings at Montreal Canadiens Betting Predictions
NHL Pick: SU Winner – Canadiens, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
- Montreal is 2-6 in games decided by a shootout this season while Detroit is 5-1 in shootouts.
- The total has gone under in three of Montreal’s last five games.
- Five of Detroit’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 0-5 in those games.
- The Habs this season have handed the second-most hits per game (26.2), but that average has jumped up to 32.2 over their past five home outings.
