Two clubs that have underperformed this season, the Arizona Coyotes and the Montreal Canadiens meet at Bell Centre for a cross-continent tilt. The first puck drops at 7:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, November 16, and it can be watched live on Reseau Des Sports.
Arizona Coyotes vs. Montreal Canadiens Odds
Montreal (-185) is currently favored over Arizona (+160), and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 6 goals. The odds for betting that total sit at -105 money on the over and -115 on the under.
Montreal is 8-11 straight up (SU) and has lost 4.3 units for moneyline bettors this year. That early-season winning percentage is a regression from the 47-35 record that the team managed during last year’s regular season campaign. Through 19 regular season contests, 10 of its games have gone over the total, while eight have gone under and just one has pushed. This season, the team’s 4-5 SU at home.
The Canadiens have converted on just 15.9 percent of their power play chances this year, a figure that’s ranked 24th overall in the NHL. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 27th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 75.8 percent of all penalties.
The Canadiens, as a collective unit, have been penalized just 3.8 times per game overall this season, and 3.0 per game over their past five matchups. The team’s had to stave off opponent power plays for just 8.0 minutes per game over their last 10 matchups, in total.
Averaging 25.3 saves per game with a .877 save percentage, Carey Price (3-8-1) has been the best option in goal for Montreal this season. If the Habs choose to rest him, however, the team might go with Charlie Lindgren (3-2-2 record, .957 save percentage, 1.39 goals against average).
Jonathan Drouin and Shea Weber will each lead the offensive attack for the Canadiens. Drouin (12 points) has put up three goals and nine assists and has recorded multiple points in three different games this year. Weber has three goals and nine assists to his credit and has recorded a point in six contests.
On the other bench, Arizona is 2-18 straight up (SU) and has lost 16.4 units for moneyline bettors thus far. A total of 11 of its games have gone over the total, while eight have gone under and just one has pushed. As an away team so far, the Coyotes are 1-11 SU.
The Coyotes have converted on just 13.4 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a figure that places them in the bottom- overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 27th overall and it’s successfully defended 76.8 percent of all opponent power plays.
Arizona’s skaters have been penalized only 3.3 times per game this season, and 4.4 per game over their last five contests. The team has been forced to kill penalties just 6.9 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Antti Raanta (23.3 saves per game) has been the primary choice in the net for Arizona. Raanta owns a 1-8-2 record, and has registered a .905 save percentage and 3.16 goals against average this year.
Leading the offensive counter for the visiting Coyotes will be Clayton Keller, who has 11 goals and six assists this season.
Arizona Coyotes vs. Montreal Canadiens Betting Predictions
Predictions: SU Winner – Canadiens, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- Four of Arizona’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 0-4 in those games.
- Arizona has scored just 1.4 goals per game (while giving up 3.4) over its five-game losing skid.
- The Coyotes are 1-10 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 2-14 in games where they’re in the box for fewer than 10 total penalty minutes.
- Montreal may hold the upper hand if it’s a tight one late. The team’s 5-2 in games decided by one goal, while Arizona is 2-7 in such games.
- The under has hit in each of Montreal’s last five games.
- Montreal is ranked 30th this season with 13.2 giveaways per game. That figure has trended higher lately, as it’s averaged 14.6 giveaways over its last 10 games and 16.8 giveaways over its last five.
- Arizona is ranked 13th this season with 8.8 giveaways per game. That figure’s trended down lately, however, as the team’s averaged 7.1 giveaways over its last 10 games and 6.2 giveaways over its last five.
- This game features a couple of the more physical teams in the league. Arizona skaters have dished out the third-most hits in the league (25.4 per game) while the Canadiens have tallied the sixth-most (23.9).
