Tomas Tatar, Shea Weber, and the Montreal Canadiens will face off against Elias Pettersson, Brock Boeser, and the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena in a cross-country showdown. Sportsnet Pacific will showcase the matchup, and the opening face-off takes place at 10 p.m. ET on Tuesday, December 17.
Montreal Canadiens vs. Vancouver Canucks Odds
The Canucks (-130) are currently favored over the Canadiens (+110), and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at an even 6 goals (-115 for the over, -105 for the under). Those lines have shifted after initially opening at -125 over and +105 under.
Producing -2.7 units for moneyline gamblers, Vancouver is 16-18 straight up (SU) overall this year. That early-season winning percentage isn’t too far off from to the 35-47 record the team posted during last year’s regular season campaign. Among its 34 games this season, 18 have gone over the total, while 14 have gone under and just two have pushed. The team’s 8-7 SU at home this season.
The Canucks have connected on 24.4 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a mark that places them in the top-5 among NHL teams. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 15th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 81.6 percent of all penalties.
Averaging 29.0 saves per game with a .915 save percentage, Jacob Markstrom (9-13-3) has been the most dependable goalkeeper for Vancouver this year. If the Nucks decide to give him a rest, however, the team might turn to Thatcher Demko (7-5-5 record, .906 save percentage, 3.00 goals against average).
Montreal has lost 7.5 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year and is currently 15-18 straight up (SU). Through 33 regular season outings, 16 of its games have gone over the total, while 15 have gone under the total and just two have pushed. As the road team , the Canadiens are 7-7 SU.
The Canadiens have converted on 20.0 percent of their power play chances this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 28th overall and it’s successfully defended 76.0 percent of all opponent power plays.
Carey Price (27.0 saves per game) has been the main option in the net for Montreal. Price has 13 wins, 13 losses, and three overtime losses to his credit, while registering a .905 save percentage and 2.92 goals against average this year.
Montreal Canadiens vs. Vancouver Canucks Free Picks
Free Pick: SU Winner – Canucks, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
- The Canadiens are 2-1 in games decided by a shootout this season while the Canucks are 3-1 in shootouts.
- The total has gone under in each of Montreal’s last five outings.
- Montreal’s attempted 35.1 shots per game overall this season (the most in the NHL), and 32.0 in its last five road games.
- Over Vancouver’s last ten outings, six of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 2-4 in those games).
- Montreal skaters have accounted for the fourth-most hits in the league (28.5 per game).
