Rogers Place will play host to an enticing showdown as the Edmonton Oilers prepare to face the visiting Montreal Canadiens. CiTV will broadcast this East-West matchup, and the opening face-off is at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 21.
Montreal Canadiens vs. Edmonton Oilers Odds
Edmonton (+110) is entering this one as the underdog to Montreal (-130) and the Over/Under (O/U) has been placed at 6 goals (-125 for the over, +105 for the under).
Netting 0.7 units for moneyline bettors, the Oilers are 19-19 straight up (SU) overall thus far. That winning percentage, ranked second in the Pacific Division so far this season, is a welcomed improvement compared to how the team performed during the 2018-19 season (35-47). Of its 38 games this season, 17 have gone under the total, while 17 have gone over and just one has pushed. The team’s 8-10 SU at home this year.
Edmonton comes into the matchup with the second-strongest power-play unit in the NHL, as the team has found the net on 29.8 percent of their extra-man chances this season. On the other hand, its penalty kill is rated seventh overall, and it’s successfully killed off 84.3 percent of all penalties.
As a collective unit, Edmonton has been called for penalties 3.5 times per game overall this season, and 2.6 per game over its last five at home. The team has been forced to defend opponent power plays for just 6.7 minutes per game over its last 10 outings, in total.
Averaging 28.5 saves per game with a .919 save percentage, Mikko Koskinen (12-10-2) has been the primary option in goal for the Oilers this season. If head coach Dave Tippett decides to give him a breather, however, the Oilers might roll with Mike Smith (7-12-12 record, .893 save percentage, 3.14 goals against average).
The Oilers will continue seeking leadership out of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. McDavid (59 points) has tallied 20 goals and 39 assists and has recorded two or more points 17 times this year. Draisaitl has 21 goals and 37 assists to his credit and has recorded at least one point in 31 games.
Montreal has lost 5.3 units for moneyline bettors thus far and is currently 17-18 straight up (SU). Through 35 regular season matches, 17 of its games have gone over the total, while 16 have gone under the total and just two have pushed. Montreal’s 9-7 SU as the away team this season.
Montreal has converted on 21.3 percent of its power play chances this year, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 28th overall and it’s successfully killed off 75.2 percent of all opponent power plays.
Montreal’s players have been called for penalties only 3.2 times per game this season, and 2.6 per game over their last five on the road. The team’s had to defend opponent power plays just 7.0 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Carey Price (.907 save percentage and 2.84 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for Montreal. Price is averaging 27.3 saves per game and has 15 wins, 13 losses, and three OT losses to his credit.
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 at Edmonton Oilers Betting Predictions
NHL Prediction: SU Winner – Oilers, O/U – Over
Betting Notes
- The total has gone under in four of Montreal’s last five outings.
- Montreal’s attempted 35.1 shots per contest overall this season (the most in the NHL), and 35.6 in its last 10 games.
- The Canadiens are 7-8 SU in games where they serve more penalty minutes than their opponent while the Oilers are 7-8 SU when they spend more time in the box than their opponent.
- Montreal is 2-1 in games decided by a shootout this season while Edmonton is 2-1 in shootouts.
- Edmonton has created 10.2 takeaways per game over its last five home games, an improvement over its season average of 8.4 takeaways per game (ranked 8th in the league).
- Montreal skaters have created 9.4 takeaways per game over its last five road games, an improvement over its season average of 7.5 takeaways per game (ranked 15th).
- Edmonton may hold the upper hand if this one comes down to the wire. The team’s 10-6 in games decided by one goal, while Montreal is 8-10 in such games.
