Canadiens vs. Blackhawks Player Props, Picks and Predictions – Friday, Dec. 22

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

The Montreal Canadiens (14-13-5) are set to face off against the Chicago Blackhawks (10-20-1) in a cross-conference clash at the United Center. As the Canadiens look to rebound from a recent loss, the Blackhawks aim to build on their latest victory and improve their home record.

Montreal Canadiens vs. Chicago Blackhawks Odds Info

Moneyline: Montreal Canadiens -104 (BetRivers) / Chicago Blackhawks -115 (DraftKings)

Puck Line: -1.5 – Montreal Canadiens -265 (BetRivers) / Chicago Blackhawks +205 (BetRivers)

Total: 6.0 – +100 (BetRivers) / -121 (BetRivers)

Game Info

Date: Friday, Dec. 22

Time: 08:30 PM

Location: United Center – Chicago, IL

TV: ESPN+

Montreal Canadiens Betting Trends

• This season, the Montreal Canadiens have hit 15 overs and 17 unders.
• On the road this season, the Montreal Canadiens have hit 5 overs and 9 unders.
• As the underdog this season, the Montreal Canadiens have hit 14 overs and 15 unders.

Chicago Blackhawks Betting Trends

• This season, the Chicago Blackhawks have hit 13 overs and 18 unders.
• At home this season, the Chicago Blackhawks have hit 7 overs and 8 unders.
• As the favorite this season, the Chicago Blackhawks have hit 0 overs and 0 unders.

Historic Head-to-Head Stats and Analysis

Over the last two seasons, the Montreal Canadiens and the Chicago Blackhawks have faced off three times, with all encounters occurring during the regular season. In these matchups, the Canadiens have emerged victorious on each occasion, showcasing a clear dominance over the Blackhawks. The games took place between November 2022 and October 2023, with the Canadiens winning both as the home team and as visitors. In terms of betting statistics, Montreal has covered the spread twice, while Chicago has done so once. Interestingly, all three games have trended towards lower-scoring affairs, with the total score going under the set over-under line each time. Key statistics from these games reveal that the Canadiens have been particularly strong in the faceoff circle, winning a significant majority of faceoffs in the most recent game. Additionally, the Canadiens have demonstrated a disciplined approach to defense, blocking a substantial number of shots and effectively killing penalties, as evidenced by their short-handed goal in the latest game.

The most recent game between the two teams took place on October 14, 2023, and ended with a 3-2 victory for the Montreal Canadiens. The game was tightly contested, with all the scoring occurring in the second and third periods. Montreal’s Cole Caufield, Tanner Pearson, and Sean Monahan were instrumental in building a 3-0 lead, with Monahan contributing a goal and an assist. The Blackhawks attempted a comeback in the third period with Tyler Johnson scoring twice, narrowing the Canadiens’ lead to just one goal. Despite the Blackhawks’ efforts, the Canadiens held on to their lead, with strong defensive play and goaltending by Sam Montembeault, who posted a save percentage of 0.933. The Canadiens’ performance in the faceoff circle was dominant, winning 75% of faceoffs, which likely contributed to their control of the game. Chicago’s power play opportunities remained unfruitful, while Montreal capitalized on their penalty kill with a short-handed goal, underscoring the effectiveness of their special teams.

Montreal Canadiens vs. Chicago Blackhawks Predictions

The Montreal Canadiens are heading into the game with a mixed bag of recent performances, holding a 14-13-5 record. They’ve shown resilience on the road with a 7-4-3 record away from home, but are coming off a loss that they’ll be eager to bounce back from. The Canadiens’ offense is led by center Nick Suzuki, who tops the team with 9 goals and 19 assists. Montreal’s overall play has been inconsistent, but they’ve demonstrated the ability to compete, especially in close games, as reflected in their five overtime losses.

On the other side, the Chicago Blackhawks are enduring a challenging season, sitting at 10-20-1. Despite their struggles, the Blackhawks have shown signs of life, particularly in their recent home game win. The team’s young star, Connor Bedard, has been a bright spot, leading the team with 12 goals and 16 assists. Chicago’s defense and goaltending will need to step up if they hope to contain the Canadiens’ attack and secure back-to-back wins at the United Center.

This matchup presents an interesting dynamic with both teams having their own set of strengths and weaknesses. The Canadiens have been more successful on the road, while the Blackhawks are looking to capitalize on their home-ice advantage. The game could hinge on the performance of the star players, with Suzuki and Bedard both being key to their respective teams’ success. Additionally, the defensive units and goaltending will play a crucial role, as both teams have shown a tendency towards lower-scoring games this season. Fans can expect a tightly contested game as both teams vie for a much-needed win.

Montreal Canadiens vs. Chicago Blackhawks Pick

The recent head-to-head history between the Montreal Canadiens and the Chicago Blackhawks suggests a trend towards lower-scoring games, with the total score going under the set over-under line each time they’ve met in the past two seasons. This pattern is supported by the strong defensive play and effective penalty killing from both teams, particularly the Canadiens who have shown the ability to block shots and kill penalties efficiently. Furthermore, the goaltending matchup, with the Blackhawks’ recent home game win and the Canadiens’ Sam Montembeault’s solid performance, indicates that goals may be hard to come by in this upcoming game.

Considering the current odds and the fact that both teams have had a tendency to engage in closely contested matches, it seems prudent to expect another tight game with limited scoring opportunities. The Blackhawks will be relying on their young talent, Connor Bedard, to lead the charge, but the Canadiens’ road resilience and the defensive focus from both sides suggest that this game will likely follow the under trend seen in their recent encounters. Therefore, the under pick appears to be the more justified choice for this matchup at the United Center.

The Pick: Under 6.0 +100 (BetRivers)

Montreal Canadiens vs. Chicago Blackhawks 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