Two clubs that split their head-to-head series (one game apiece) last year, the Montreal Canadiens and the Colorado Avalanche meet at the Pepsi Center. This East-West matchup gets going at 8:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, December 19 and it’ll be televised live on Sportsnet.
Montreal Canadiens vs. Colorado Avalanche Odds
Colorado (-155) is tabbed as the favorite over Montreal (+135) and the Over/Under (O/U) is placed at an even 6 goals. The line for betting that total stands at -130 over, +110 under.
The Avalanche are 18-16 straight up (SU) and have hurt moneyline bettors to the tune of -0.4 units so far. That win percentage, ranked third in the Central Division so far this season, hasn’t moved much from what the team managed during last year’s regular season (43-39). Of the team’s 34 games this season, 19 have gone over the total, while 15 have gone under and none have pushed. The team’s 7-7 SU at home this season.
Colorado has converted on 29.4 percent of its power play chances this season, a mark that’s good enough for fourth-best in the league. On the other hand, its penalty kill is rated 22nd overall, and it’s successfully killed off 77.2 percent of all penalties.
As a team, Colorado has been penalized 4.2 times per game overall this season, 4.0 per game over its past five matchups total, and 4.2 per game over its last five at home. The team has had to kill penalties for 11.8 minutes per contest over its last five home games.
Averaging 28.0 saves per game with a .913 save percentage, Semyon Varlamov (11-12-3) has been the top option in goal for the Avalanche this year. If head coach Jared Bednar chooses to give him the night off, however, the Avs could turn to Philipp Grubauer (7-6-6 record, .897 save percentage, 3.22 goals against average).
Mikko Rantanen and Nathan MacKinnon will each lead the charge for the Avalanche. Rantanen (56 points) has put up 15 goals and 41 assists and has recorded two or more points in 17 different games this year. MacKinnon has 21 goals and 32 assists to his credit and has notched at least one point in 26 games.
Montreal has netted moneyline bettors 1.1 units this year and is currently 17-17 straight up (SU). Through 34 regular season matches, 18 of its games have gone over the total, while 15 have gone under the total and just one has pushed. As an away team this season, Montreal is 7-8 SU.
Montreal has converted on just 12.1 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s ranked 31st in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 25th overall and it’s successfully defended 76.4 percent of all penalties.
Montreal’s players have been penalized 4.0 times per game in total this season, and 5.0 per game over their last five contests. The team has had to kill penalties an unhealthy 14.2 minutes per game over their last five outings.
Carey Price (26.0 saves per game) has been the main option in goal for Montreal. Price owns a 13-14-4 record, while registering a .901 save percentage and 2.94 goals against average this year.
Max Domi (14 goals, 19 assists) will pace the offensive attack for the visiting Canadiens.
Montreal Canadiens at Colorado Avalanche Betting Predictions
Free NHL Pick: SU Winner – Avalanche, O/U – Over
Betting Notes
- For both of these clubs, the over has hit in four of their last five outings.
- Montreal’s attempted 34.1 shots per contest overall this season (the second-most in the NHL), and 32.0 in its last five road outings.
- Penalties and power plays could be key in this matchup. The Canadiens are 7-7 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 11-10 in games where they’re in the box for fewer than 10 total penalty minutes. The Avalanche are 7-5 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 11-7 when they’re in the box for less than 10 minutes.
- Colorado skaters have created 6.6 takeaways per game over its last five home games, an improvement over its season average of 5.1 takeaways per game (ranked 30th overall).
- Montreal has averaged 6.4 takeaways per game over its last five road games, a drop-off from its season average of 7.3 takeaways per game (ranked 18th).
