Canadiens vs. Wild Player Props, Picks and Predictions – Thursday, Dec. 21

We have your Montreal Canadiens vs. Minnesota Wild prop betting and game preview needs covered as the Montreal Canadiens hit the road to face the Minnesota Wild.

The Montreal Canadiens (14-13-4) are set to face off against the Minnesota Wild (13-13-4) in what promises to be an intriguing matchup. With both teams hovering around the .500 mark, this game could be a critical juncture for their playoff aspirations.

Montreal Canadiens vs. Minnesota Wild Odds Info

Moneyline: Montreal Canadiens +170 (BetMGM) / Minnesota Wild -210 (BetMGM)

Puck Line: -1.5 – Montreal Canadiens -145 (BetMGM) / Minnesota Wild +120 (BetMGM)

Total: 6.5 – -125 (PointsBet) / +105 (PointsBet)

Game Info

Date: Thursday, Dec. 21

Time: 08:00 PM

Location: Xcel Energy Center – St Paul, MN

TV: ESPN+

Montreal Canadiens Betting Trends

• On the road this season, the Montreal Canadiens have 7 wins and 6 losses.
• As the underdog this season, the Montreal Canadiens have 11 wins and 17 losses.
• This season, the Montreal Canadiens have hit 14 overs and 17 unders.

Minnesota Wild Betting Trends

• At home this season, the Minnesota Wild have 7 wins and 6 losses.
• As the favorite this season, the Minnesota Wild have 10 wins and 6 losses.
• This season, the Minnesota Wild have hit 17 overs and 13 unders.

Historic Head-to-Head Stats and Analysis

Over the last two seasons, the Minnesota Wild and Montreal Canadiens have faced off three times, with the Wild emerging victorious in all three encounters. These matchups took place within the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 NHL regular seasons. In terms of betting statistics, Minnesota has consistently outperformed expectations, covering the spread in each of the three games, while Montreal has failed to cover the spread on all occasions. The over/under betting results have seen the total score go over once and stay under twice. The Wild have demonstrated a strong offensive presence, scoring a total of 12 goals across the three games, compared to the Canadiens’ 4 goals. Minnesota’s goaltending has been notably effective, with a combined save percentage of 0.931 across the three games, while Montreal’s goaltenders have posted a lower combined save percentage of 0.857. The Wild have also capitalized on power play opportunities, particularly in the most recent game where they converted 37.5% of their chances.

The most recent game between the two teams occurred on October 17, 2023, where the Minnesota Wild defeated the Montreal Canadiens with a final score of 5-2. The Wild took an early lead in the first period with goals from Brandon Duhaime and Connor Dewar and maintained their momentum throughout the game. Joel Eriksson Ek and Tanner Pearson further extended the lead in the second period, with Eriksson Ek adding another goal in the third period to secure his brace. The Canadiens’ Alex Newhook managed to score a late goal, but it was not enough to challenge Minnesota’s dominance. The Wild’s power play performance was a key factor in their victory, as they scored three goals on the man advantage. Faceoff statistics were relatively even, with the Canadiens winning 52.7% of the draws. Minnesota’s Marc-Andre Fleury was solid between the pipes, saving 27 of the 29 shots he faced, resulting in a save percentage of 0.931 for the game.

Montreal Canadiens vs. Minnesota Wild Predictions

The Montreal Canadiens are riding a wave of momentum with a two-game winning streak, having recently secured victories against formidable opponents. Their recent performance has been a testament to their resilience and ability to pull through in close contests. The Canadiens’ offense, led by Nick Suzuki who has tallied 26 points this season, will look to penetrate the Wild’s defenses. Montreal’s goaltending will also be crucial, as they’ve shown the ability to stifle opponents’ scoring efforts in clutch moments.

On the other side, the Minnesota Wild return home after an impressive overtime victory against the Boston Bruins. The Wild have been inconsistent this season but have the potential to turn the tide with the help of key players like Kirill Kaprizov, who leads the team with 27 points. Minnesota’s power play has been a strong point, and they’ll be looking to exploit Montreal’s penalty kill unit. Defensively, the Wild have shown some vulnerability, and the Canadiens may find opportunities to capitalize on this.

This game is not just about the two teams’ current standings but also about their star players going head-to-head. The matchup between Montreal’s Sean Monahan and Minnesota’s Joel Eriksson Ek could be particularly pivotal, as both centers lead their respective teams in goals scored. With both teams seeking to gain ground in their conference rankings, expect a tightly contested game with strategic plays from both ends of the ice.

Montreal Canadiens vs. Minnesota Wild Pick

The Montreal Canadiens come into this game with a notable underdog moneyline at +170, which presents a valuable opportunity for bettors. Despite the historical head-to-head favoring the Minnesota Wild, the Canadiens are on a two-game winning streak and have shown they can pull off upsets against strong teams. With Nick Suzuki leading the charge and the team’s goaltending stepping up in crucial moments, Montreal has the tools to challenge Minnesota’s inconsistent defense. Furthermore, the Wild’s home record this season is not overwhelmingly dominant, with an equal number of wins and losses, suggesting vulnerability that the Canadiens could exploit.

While the Wild have been successful against the Canadiens in their past three meetings, the dynamics of this game are different. Montreal’s recent form and the high potential for positive regression in their offensive play, especially from players like Sean Monahan, give them an edge. Additionally, the Wild’s recent performance, although victorious, has not been convincing enough to warrant the steep -210 moneyline. Considering the odds, Montreal’s upward trend, and the potential for a tightly contested game, the Canadiens moneyline bet is the more attractive and potentially rewarding pick for this matchup.

The Pick: Montreal Canadiens +170 (BetMGM)

Montreal Canadiens vs. Minnesota Wild 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

Minnesota Wild