Two clubs that split their head-to-head series (one game apiece) a year ago, the Anaheim Ducks and the Montreal Canadiens take the ice at Bell Centre. This East-West matchup gets underway at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, February 6 and it’s being televised live on Prime Ticket.
Anaheim Ducks vs. Montreal Canadiens Odds
Moneyline and Over/Under (O/U) odds have not yet been posted for this matchup.
Losing 12.0 units for moneyline gamblers, the Canadiens are 25-30 straight up (SU) overall this year. That early-season winning percentage is a slide from what the team recorded during last year’s regular season (44-38). Through 55 regular season matches, 27 of its games have gone under the total, while 25 have gone over and just three have pushed. Thus far, the team is 11-18 SU at home.
Montreal has converted on 19.9 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 21st overall, and it’s successfully killed off 78.9 percent of all penalties.
Montreal, as a collective unit, has been penalized 3.4 times per game overall this season, and 4.4 per game over its past five games. The team’s had to kill penalties for just 6.8 minutes per contest over its last five home games.
Averaging 27.6 saves per game with a .911 save percentage, Carey Price (22 wins, 22 losses, and four OT losses) has been the primary goalkeeper for the Canadiens this year. If head coach Claude Julien chooses to give him a rest, however, the Habs may turn to Keith Kinkaid (1-5-5 record, .875 save percentage, 4.24 goals against average).
Tomas Tatar and Phillip Danault will each lead the offensive attack for the Canadiens. Tatar (50 points) is up to 20 goals and 30 assists and has recorded two or more points in 12 different games this year. Danault has 12 goals and 27 assists to his credit and has recorded at least one point in 30 contests.
Over on the other bench, Anaheim is 22-31 straight up (SU) and has lost 8.5 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year. Through 53 regular season contests, 28 of its games have gone over the total, while 24 have gone under the total and just one has pushed. Anaheim’s 10-18 SU as the visiting team this season.
Anaheim has converted on just 14.2 percent of its power play chances this year, a figure that places it in the bottom- overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 25th overall and it’s successfully killed off 77.5 percent of all penalties.
Anaheim’s skaters have been called for penalties 4.1 times per game this season, and 2.4 per game over their last five road outings. The team has had to defend opponent power plays just 6.7 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
John Gibson (28.0 saves per game) has been the primary option in goal for Anaheim. Gibson owns a 16-24-3 record, and has registered a .905 save percentage and 2.96 goals against average this year.
For the visiting Ducks, the offense will be facilitated through Ryan Getzlaf (11 goals, 24 assists) and Rickard Rakell (13 goals, 19 assists).
Anaheim Ducks at Montreal Canadiens Betting Predictions
Pick: SU Winner – Canadiens, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
- The over has hit in three of Anaheim’s last five games.
- The Canadiens have averaged the league’s most shots on goal (34.8) while the Ducks have attempted the 27th-most (only 34.8).
- Penalties and power plays may play a key role tonight. The Ducks are 6-11 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 12-16 in games where they serve fewer than 10 total penalty minutes. The Canadiens are 7-10 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 18-22 when their penalty minutes are in the single digits.
- Two of Montreal’s past 10 contests have been decided by a shootout. The team’s 2-0 in those games and 4-1 overall in shootouts this year.
- Montreal is ranked 19th in the league with 6.9 takeaways per game. That figure has trended down lately, however, as the team has averaged 5.7 takeaways over its last 10 games and 6.0 takeaways over its last five.
- Anaheim is ranked 29th in the NHL with 6.5 takeaways per game. That figure has trended upward, as it’s managed 7.7 takeaways over its last 10 games and 7.2 takeaways over its last five.
