Vegas Golden Knights at Montreal Canadiens odds, picks and predictions
The Vegas Golden Knights (12-3-1) take on the Montreal Canadiens (7-7-2) Thursday at Bell Centre. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's lines around the Golden Knights vs. Canadiens odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The defending Stanley Cup champs have hit their 1st skid of the season, dropping 3 of the last 4 games. They were shut out by the Washington Capitals 3-0 Tuesday. They beat the San Jose Sharks 5-0 before that, but outside of that game they've scored just 3 goals in their 3 losses in the stretch.
The Canadiens fell 2-1 to the Calgary Flames Tuesday. They have 2 overtime winners this month to go with 5 losses. The Canadiens have to stay out of the box if they want to have a chance to win this one. Montreal is 30th in the league with 12.9 penalty minutes per game.
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Golden Knights at Canadiens odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access Paste BN Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:18 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Golden Knights -190 (bet $190 to win $100) | Canadiens +155 (bet $100 to win $155)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Golden Knights -1.5 (+125) | Canadiens +1.5 (-150)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6 (O: -120 | U: +100)
Golden Knights at Canadiens projected goalies
Adin Hill (7-7-1, 1.75 GAA, .939 SV%, 2 SO) vs. Jake Allen (3-3-1, 3.31 GAA, .911 SV%)
Hill was last between the pipes Friday in the 5-0 shutout against the Sharks. He stopped all 20 shots that came his way. He faced Montreal Oct. 30 and stopped 37 of 39 shots in a 3-2 shootout victory.
Allen has allowed at least 3 goals in each of his last 4 starts, including 3 on 35 shots in the 5-2 loss Sunday against the Vancouver Canucks. He faced Vegas twice last season and lost both of them as he allowed 10 goals on 70 shots.
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Golden Knights at Canadiens picks and predictions
Prediction
Golden Knights 3, Canadiens 2
Moneyline
Despite the minor hiccup, I look for VGK to have enough to get this victory. They're a complete team and getting great goaltending while the Canadiens can bite you if you sleep on them, but they're still finding their way. We're not paying -190 for it, though.
Instead, I'll look to JACK EICHEL OVER 3.5 SHOTS (-125). He has 4+ shots in 10 of 16 games and 3 of the last 5. He also had 4 shots against Montreal earlier this season.
Puck line/Against the spread
Montreal has kept it within 1 goal in 3 of the last 4 games against Vegas. The Golden Knights are also struggling to score. Montreal is 9-7 on the puck line overall. So I'll LEAN CANADIENS +1.5 (-150).
Over/Under
I'm feeling the Under here, and some shops have gone to a 6.5 number. I would wait it out to see if this total does the same and hit that Under. Vegas' defense is 3rd-best in the league, allowing 2.2 goals per game. Meanwhile the Canadiens are 26th on offense with 2.8 goals per game. The Under has cashed in 4 straight for VGK.
Wait until closer to puck drop to see if we get a 6.5 number here, or LEAN UNDER 6 (+100) with some push potential.
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