A couple of the least-penalized teams in the league, the Montreal Canadiens and the Winnipeg Jets clash at Bell MTS Place. The Sports Network will showcase this East-West matchup, and the opening face-off is at 8 p.m. ET on Monday, December 23.
Montreal Canadiens at Winnipeg Jets Odds
Oddsmakers have not yet posted moneyline or Over/Under odds for this matchup.
The Jets are 21-15 straight-up (SU) and have netted 6.8 units for moneyline bettors this year. That win percentage, ranked third in the Central Division so far in this young season, is right in line with what the team posted during last year’s regular season (47-35). Of the team’s 36 games this season, 15 have gone under the total, while 15 have gone over and just one has pushed. The team’s 10-8 SU at home this season.
Winnipeg has converted on 18.2 percent of its power play chances this year, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is rated 30th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 73.6 percent of all penalties.
Winnipeg, as a collective unit, has been called for penalties just 3.0 times per game overall this season, and 3.7 per game over its last ten outings. The team’s had to kill penalties for just 8.3 minutes per game over its last 10 outings, in total.
Averaging 28.1 saves per game with a .926 save percentage, Connor Hellebuyck (18-12-2) has been the top goalkeeper for the Jets this year. If head coach Paul Maurice chooses to give him the evening off, however, the team could go with Laurent Brossoit (5-5-5 record, .890 save percentage, 3.23 goals against average).
The Jets will continue to look for offensive production from Mark Scheifele and Patrik Laine. Scheifele (37 points) has tallied 17 goals and 20 assists and has recorded multiple points nine times this year. Laine has 13 goals and 21 assists to his name and has recorded at least one point in 21 contests.
On the other bench, Montreal is 17-19 straight up (SU) and has lost 6.6 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year. Through 36 regular season matches, 18 of its games have gone over the total, while 16 have gone under the total and just two have pushed. As the visiting team so far, Montreal is 9-8 SU.
Montreal has converted on 22.1 percent of its power play chances this year, a mark that places it in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 27th overall and it’s successfully killed off 75.5 percent of all opponent power plays.
Montreal’s skaters have been called for penalties 3.3 times per game this season, and 5.0 per game over their past five games. The team’s been forced to kill penalties just 8.1 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Carey Price (.905 save percentage and 2.89 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for Montreal. Price is averaging 27.1 saves per game and owns a 15-14-3 record.
Leading the offensive attack for the visiting Canadiens will be Tomas Tatar (13 goals, 17 assists) and Shea Weber (11 goals, 18 assists).
Montreal Canadiens vs. Winnipeg Jets Betting Picks
Free Pick: SU Winner – Jets, O/U – Over
Betting Notes
- Both teams are 2-1 in games decided by shootout.
- Montreal’s attempted 34.9 shots per game overall this season (the second-most in the NHL), and 34.0 in its last 10 games.
- Four of Montreal’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 3-1 in those games.
- This game features two of the more physical teams in the league. Montreal skaters have given out the fourth-most hits in the league (27.9 per game) while the Jets have recorded the 12th-most (21.8).
