Two teams that each played games last night, the Montreal Canadiens and the Chicago Blackhawks face off at the United Center in an Original Six showdown. Sportsnet will air the action, which gets underway at 7 p.m. ET on Sunday, November 5.
Montreal Canadiens vs. Chicago Blackhawks Odds
The Blackhawks are 7-7 straight up (SU) and have lost 2.6 units for moneyline bettors this year. That early-season winning percentage is a noticeable slide from what the team managed during the 2016-17 season (50-32). Through 14 regular season contests, seven of the team’s games have gone over the total, while five have gone under and just one has pushed. The team is 4-3 SU at home this year.
Chicago has converted on just 14.5 percent of its power play chances this year, a mark that puts the team in the bottom-10 overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 11th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 82.5 percent of all penalties.
Chicago, as a collective unit, has been penalized 4.6 times per game this season. Last year, it posted the second-best figure in the league with 3.1 penalties per game. After serving an average of 7.1 penalty minutes per game a season ago the team has been forced to kill penalties for 10.1 minutes per matchup this year.
With a .945 save percentage and 28.8 saves per game, Corey Crawford (7-5) has been the primary goalkeeper for the Blackhawks this season. Crawford did just play last night, however, so the team could decide to rest him and instead roll with Anton Forsberg (0-3-3 record, .895 save percentage, 4.25 goals against average).
Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews will each be offensive focal points for the Blackhawks. Kane (14 points) is up to five goals and nine assists and has recorded two or more points two times this year. Toews has four goals and six assists to his name and has recorded at least one point in seven games.
Not unlike Chicago, Montreal has been unfavorable to bettors despite a good record. The team’s lost 6.1 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year, even though it’s posted a record of 5-9 straight up (SU). Through 14 regular season outings, nine of its games have gone over the total, while three have gone under and just one has pushed. Montreal’s 3-6 SU as an away team this season.
Montreal has converted on 17.2 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 29th overall and it’s successfully killed off 71.4 percent of all penalties.
Montreal’s players have been penalized 4.1 times per game this season, a number that is up a bit from the 3.8 penalties per game given up last year. After serving an average of 9.3 penalty minutes per game a year ago, the team’s had to stave off opponent power plays for 8.9 minutes per matchup this season.
Carey Price (3.77 goals against average and .877 save percentage) has been the primary option in goal for Montreal. Price is averaging 25.3 saves per game and owns a 3-8-1 record.
For the visiting Canadiens, the offense will run through Shea Weber (three goals, eight assists) and Brendan Gallagher (six goals, five assists).
Montreal Canadiens at Chicago Blackhawks Betting Predictions
Predictions: SU Winner – Blackhawks, O/U – Over
Betting Trends,
- After posting a 3-2 record in games decided by a shootout last year, Montreal is off to a 1-0 start in shootouts this season. Chicago was 4-1 in shootouts last year and has yet to participate in one this time around.
- The total has gone over in four of Montreal’s last five outings.
