Two clubs that split their season series 1-1 a year ago, the Colorado Avalanche and the Montreal Canadiens face off at Bell Centre. Altitude Sports & Entertainment will broadcast this East-West matchup, and the puck drops at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, December 5.
Colorado Avalanche at Montreal Canadiens Odds
This contest’s moneyline and Over/Under odds have not been posted by oddsmakers yet.
Colorado is 17-10 straight up (SU) and has netted 6.5 units for moneyline bettors this year. 14 of its contests have gone over the total, while 10 have gone under and just two have pushed. This 2019-20 Avalanche team is 9-6 SU on the road.
Colorado has converted on 19.8 percent of its power play chances this season, a mark that’s right around league average. Its penalty kill is ranked 24th out of 31 teams, and the team’s successfully killed off 76.4 percent of all penalties.
For the team as a whole, Colorado has been whistled for penalties 4.1 times per game during the 2019-20 season, and 3.2 per game over its past five contests. The team has been forced to kill penalties just 8.9 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
With a .916 save percentage and 28.7 saves per game, Philipp Grubauer (10-7-2) has been the primary option in goal for Colorado this year. Grubauer played last night, however, so head coach Jared Bednar may choose to rest him and instead turn to Pavel Francouz (6-3 record, .924 save percentage, 2.48 goals against average).
Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar will both lead the offensive attack for the visiting Avalanche. MacKinnon has 44 points via 18 goals and 26 assists, and has recorded multiple points in 12 different games. Makar has eight goals and 19 assists to his name, and has notched a point in 18 games.
Montreal is 12-16 straight up (SU) and has lost 7.3 units for moneyline bettors this year. 16 of its contests have gone over the total, while 10 have gone under and just two have pushed. This year, the team’s 7-9 SU at home.
Montreal has converted on 18.8 percent of its power play chances this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 30th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 74.1 percent of all opponent power plays.
Montreal skaters have been penalized only 3.1 times per game this season, 3.2 per game over their past five games total, and 3.0 per game over their last five at home. The team has been forced to defend opponent power plays just 6.4 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Carey Price (27.0 saves per game) has been the top option in the crease for Montreal. Price has 11 wins, 12 losses, and three OT losses to his credit and has maintained a mediocre 3.13 goals against average and a poor .899 save percentage this season.
Tomas Tatar (nine goals, 15 assists) will pace the attack for the Canadiens.
Colorado Avalanche vs. Montreal Canadiens Free Picks
NHL Tip: SU Winner – Avalanche, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- For both of these teams, the game went over the total in three of their last five matchups.
- Colorado has managed 25.8 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Montreal has been attempting 42.0 shots per game over its last five at home.
- Seven of Colorado’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 5-2 in those games.
- The Habs this season have dished out the fifth-most hits per game in the NHL (26.9).
