The Montreal Canadiens and the expansion Vegas Golden Knights collide at Bell Centre in an East-West matchup. It’s the first time these two clubs have ever met head-to-head. The first puck drops at 7:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, November 7, and it’s being televised live on AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain.
Vegas Golden Knights vs. Montreal Canadiens Odds
Vegas is 9-5 straight up (SU) and has netted 8.1 units for moneyline bettors this year. Eight of its matches have gone over the total, while five have gone under and none have pushed. This 2017-18 Golden Knights team is 3-4 SU on the road.
The Golden Knights have converted on 22.4 percent of their power play opportunities so far (ranked ninth in the NHL), and they’ve successfully defended 80.4 percent of opponents’ power plays this year (ranked 20th).
The Knights, as a collective unit, have been penalized just 3.7 times per game this season, 3.4 per game over its past five outings total, and 3.4 per game over its last five on the road. The team has had to kill penalties just 8.1 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Averaging 31.0 saves per game with a .925 save percentage, Marc-Andre Fleury (3-1) has been the best option in goal for Vegas this season. If it decides to rest him, however, Vegas could turn to Maxime Lagace (1-4-1 record, .860 save percentage, 4.03 goals against average).
James Neal and Reilly Smith will both spearhead the attack for the visiting Golden Knights. Neal has 12 points on eight goals and four assists, and has recorded two or more points four times. Smith has five goals and six assists to his name, and has notched at least one point in six games.
On the other bench, Montreal is 6-9 straight up (SU) and has earned -4.0 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 15 regular season contests, 10 of its games have gone over the total, while four have gone under and just one has pushed. This year, the team’s 2-3 SU at home.
The Canadiens have converted on just 16.4 percent of their power play chances this season, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 29th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 73.1 percent of all penalties.
Montreal skaters have been penalized 4.0 times per game this season, a number that’s pretty close to the 3.8 penalties per game given up last year. After serving an average of 9.3 penalty minutes per game a year ago, the team’s been forced to stave off opponent power plays for 8.7 minutes per matchup this season.
Carey Price has stopped 25.3 shots per game as the primary option in goal for the Canadiens. Price has three wins, eight losses, and one OT loss to his name and has recorded a pedestrian 3.77 goals against average and a poor .877 save percentage this season.
Shea Weber (three goals, eight assists) and Jonathan Drouin (three goals, eight assists) will pace the attack for the Canadiens.
Vegas Golden Knights vs. Montreal Canadiens Betting Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Canadiens, O/U – Under
Betting Trends:
- Vegas has managed 31.8 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Montreal is averaging 39.2 shots per game over its last five at home.
- Eight of Montreal’s last ten games have been decided by two or more goals. The club is 3-5 overall in those games.
