We have your Montreal Canadiens vs. Pittsburgh Penguins prop betting and game preview needs covered as the Montreal Canadiens hit the road to face the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The Montreal Canadiens (22-26-8) are set to face off against the Pittsburgh Penguins (24-21-8) in a clash of Eastern Conference rivals. As both teams fight to climb the standings, this matchup promises to be a critical juncture in their seasons.
Montreal Canadiens vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Odds Info
Moneyline: Montreal Canadiens +185 (PointsBet) / Pittsburgh Penguins -225 (PointsBet)
Puck Line: -1.5 – Montreal Canadiens -135 (Bet365) / Pittsburgh Penguins +123 (BetRivers)
Total: 6.5 – -130 (Bet365) / +112 (FanDuel)
Game Info
Date: Thursday, Feb. 22
Time: 07:00 PM
Location: PPG Paints Arena – Pittsburgh, PA
TV: ESPN+
Montreal Canadiens Betting Trends
- On the road this season, the Montreal Canadiens have 11 wins and 15 losses.
- As the underdog this season, the Montreal Canadiens have 18 wins and 33 losses.
- This season, the Montreal Canadiens have hit 29 overs and 27 unders.
Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Trends
- At home this season, the Pittsburgh Penguins have 13 wins and 14 losses.
- As the favorite this season, the Pittsburgh Penguins have 14 wins and 19 losses.
- This season, the Pittsburgh Penguins have hit 20 overs and 33 unders.
Historic Head-to-Head Stats and Analysis
Over the course of the last two seasons, the Montreal Canadiens and the Pittsburgh Penguins have faced off five times, with the Canadiens winning three of those encounters and the Penguins taking two victories. The games have been relatively evenly split in terms of location advantage, with the home team securing three wins and the visiting team claiming two. When it comes to betting statistics, Montreal has consistently outperformed expectations, beating the spread in all five games, while Pittsburgh has not won against the spread in any of the matchups. In terms of the over-under bets, three games have resulted in a total score that went over the predicted line, while two games have gone under. Other notable statistics from these games include the total score, which ranged from a low of 5 to a high of 10 goals, and the closing moneyline odds, which saw the favorite team winning three out of the five games. The spread difference varied from -2.5 to 3.5, indicating some closely contested games as well as a few with a wider margin.
The most recent game between the two teams took place on January 27, 2024, with the Pittsburgh Penguins narrowly defeating the Montreal Canadiens with a final score of 3-2 in an overtime thriller. The Penguins, who were the home team and favorites with a closing moneyline of -225, managed to secure the win despite the Canadiens’ strong performance. Montreal’s Kaiden Guhle opened the scoring, but Pittsburgh’s Lars Eller and Jake Guentzel each netted a goal to keep the game tied in regulation time. The decisive moment came in overtime when Marcus Pettersson scored the game-winning goal for the Penguins. The Canadiens, despite being the underdogs with a closing moneyline of 181, covered the spread once again as they have done consistently in their recent matchups. The game’s total score of 5 fell under the closing over-under of 6.5, marking one of the two instances where the total score was less than the predicted threshold.
Montreal Canadiens vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Predictions
The Canadiens come into this game on a three-game losing streak, looking to turn their fortunes around on the road where they’ve been relatively stronger this season. With Nick Suzuki leading the team in goals and points, Montreal’s offense will need to be sharp against a Penguins team that has been defensively solid at home. The Canadiens’ ability to beat the spread in recent matchups against Pittsburgh could play a psychological role, giving them an edge in confidence.
Pittsburgh, on the other hand, is looking to snap a two-game losing streak and improve their standing in the Metropolitan Division. Sidney Crosby continues to be a driving force for the Penguins, leading the team in goals and points. The Penguins’ defense, which ranks among the top in the Eastern Conference, will be tested by a Canadiens team that has shown they can score. The key matchup to watch will be between Crosby and Suzuki, as both centers have the ability to change the game’s momentum.
Both teams have had their struggles this season, but with playoff implications on the line, expect a tightly contested game. The Penguins will look to leverage their home-ice advantage at PPG Paints Arena, while the Canadiens aim to capitalize on their recent success against the spread when facing Pittsburgh. With both teams eager to secure a win, it will come down to which team can execute their game plan more effectively and make the most of their scoring opportunities.
Montreal Canadiens vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Pick
Given the Montreal Canadiens’ consistent performance against the spread in their recent matchups with the Pittsburgh Penguins, and considering their relatively stronger road record this season, the Canadiens moneyline bet presents a compelling choice. Despite being the underdogs, Montreal has shown resilience and the ability to cover the spread in all five previous games against Pittsburgh, indicating a trend that could very well continue in this encounter. With Nick Suzuki leading the charge and the team’s tenacity in tight games, the Canadiens are poised to capitalize on any slip-ups by the Penguins, making the moneyline bet an attractive option with potentially higher returns.
Furthermore, the Penguins’ recent struggles, including a two-game losing streak and an inability to win against the spread in their last five games against Montreal, suggest that they may not be as formidable as the odds imply. While Sidney Crosby’s leadership and Pittsburgh’s defensive prowess are noteworthy, the Canadiens’ knack for outperforming expectations in this particular matchup cannot be overlooked. The combination of favorable betting trends for Montreal and the high stakes of this game, with both teams vying for crucial points in the playoff race, make the Canadiens moneyline bet a calculated risk worth taking.
The Pick: Montreal Canadiens +185 (PointsBet)
Montreal Canadiens vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Player Prop Picks
Here are the players who have hit over their current prop line in at least 7 of their last 10 games.
Montreal Canadiens
| Player Name | Prop | Line | Over Rate | Over Odds | Under Odds | Last 10 Average | Projection |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joel Armia | Shots On Goal | 1.5 | 9/10 | -150 | +120 | 2.6 | 2.66 |
| Nick Suzuki | Points | 0.5 | 9/10 | -215 | +165 | 1.5 | 1.20 |
| Juraj Slafkovsky | Points | 0.5 | 8/10 | -120 | -110 | 1.2 | 1.20 |
| Cole Caufield | Shots On Goal | 3.5 | 8/10 | -135 | +105 | 4.6 | 4.70 |
| Cole Caufield | Assists | 0.5 | 7/10 | +124 | -160 | 0.7 | 0.80 |
| Nick Suzuki | Assists | 0.5 | 7/10 | -120 | -110 | 0.7 | 0.80 |
| Cole Caufield | Points | 0.5 | 7/10 | -200 | +154 | 1.0 | 0.99 |
Pittsburgh Penguins
| Player Name | Prop | Line | Over Rate | Over Odds | Under Odds | Last 10 Average | Projection |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Erik Karlsson | Assists | 0.5 | 7/10 | -150 | +120 | 0.7 | 0.8 |
| Erik Karlsson | Points | 0.5 | 7/10 | -215 | +165 | 0.7 | 0.8 |
