In their first head-to-head meeting of the regular season, the Montreal Canadiens and the Vancouver Canucks meet at Rogers Arena in a cross-country showdown. The action gets underway at 10 p.m. ET on Tuesday, December 19, and fans at home can view the game live on Reseau Des Sports.
Montreal Canadiens vs. Vancouver Canucks Odds
With a moneyline of -135, Montreal enters the game as the favorite. The line for Vancouver sits at +115, and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 6 goals. The odds for betting the total sit at -120 for the under and +100 for the over.
The Canucks are 15-19 straight up (SU) and have earned 0.5 units for moneyline bettors this season. That early-season winning percentage is a welcome improvement over the 30-52 record from the 2016-17 season campaign. Through 34 regular season outings, 19 of its games have gone over the total, while 15 have gone under and none have pushed. The team is 6-11 SU at home this year.
Vancouver’s converted on 21.8 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s good enough for sixth-best in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 22nd overall, and it’s successfully killed off 79.5 percent of all penalties.
Vancouver, as a collective unit, has been whistled for penalties 4.0 times per game overall this season, and 5.0 per game over its last five home outings. The teams had to stave off opposition power plays for 11.6 minutes per game over its last five home outings.
Averaging 25.9 saves per game with a .907 save percentage, Jacob Markstrom (9-15-3) has been the top goalkeeper for the Canucks this season. If they decide to rest him, however, Vancouver may turn to Anders Nilsson (6-6-6 record, .914 save percentage, 3.13 goals against average).
The Nucks will continue to look for leadership from Brock Boeser and Henrik Sedin. Boeser (30 points) is up to 17 goals and 13 assists and has recorded multiple points on six different occasions this year. Sedin has two goals and 21 assists to his credit and has recorded at least one point in 15 contests.
On the other side of the rink, Montreal is 14-19 straight up (SU) and has lost 9.1 units for moneyline bettors thus far. A total of 16 of its matches have gone under the total, while 15 have gone over and just two have pushed. Montreal’s 5-9 SU as the away team this season.
Montreal has converted on 17.3 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 24th overall and it’s successfully killed off 78.9 percent of all opponent power plays.
Montreal’s players have been penalized 4.0 times per game in total this season, 4.0 per game over their past five match ups total, and 4.0 per game over their last five road outings. The teams had to stave off opponent power plays just 7.5 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Carey Price (.905 save percentage and 3.00 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for Montreal. Price is averaging 26.9 saves per game and has nine wins, 12 losses, and two overtime losses to his credit.
Leading the offensive counter for the visiting Canadiens will be Brendan Gallagher (13 goals, six assists) and Phillip Danault (six goals, 13 assists).
Montreal Canadiens vs. Vancouver Canucks Betting Predictions
Predictions: SU Winner – Canadiens, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- Vancouver is 0-2 in games decided by a shootout this season while Montreal is 1-1 in shootouts.
- The over has hit in each of Vancouver’s last five outings.
- Six of Montreal’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 4-2 in those games.
- Montreal skaters have accounted for the third-most hits in the league (25.4 per game), but that numbers down to just 21.8 hits over their last five away games.
