The Penguins take on the Canadiens in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Welcome back to NHL Predictions here on Last Word On Hockey! Each day, we provide in-depth analysis, insights, and predictions for all the NHL’s games. Pittsburgh hopes to get back in the win column against a struggling Montreal squad.
NHL Predictions Montreal Canadiens vs Pittsburgh Penguins
Head-to-Head: Canadiens 0-0 Penguins
Time: 7:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
How to Watch: Sportsnet+, SN-PIT, RDS, TSN2
Sidney Crosby and the Penguins host Nick Suzuki and the Canadiens.
Penguins Story
Pittsburgh comes into this game coming off of a 3-2 loss to the Anaheim Ducks in the shootout. With the loss, Pittsburgh has lost two straight games in the shootout and has a four-game point streak. Although they’ve picked up points in seven of their last eight games, the Penguins’ lack of ability to shut down games late in order to pick up wins has been worrying. With a record of 14-7-7 on the season, Pittsburgh’s 35 points place them in the top Eastern Conference Stanley Cup Playoff Wild Card spot, with many teams, including Montreal, right behind them.
Captain Sidney Crosby’s presence has been even more important with the absence of Evgeni Malkin, who is now week-to-week with a lower-body injury. Crosby has 18 goals in 31 points and 28 games. Former Nashville Predator, Tommy Novak, has taken this opportunity, putting up points in four straight games playing with Crosby and Bryan Rust on the top line. With backup Arturs Silovs getting the last start, expect Tristan Jarry to return to the net. Jarry is 9-2-1 with a .913 save percentage this season.
Canadiens Story
Montreal comes into this game having lost two straight and going 5-5-0 in their last 10. Their 15-11-3 record places them a few points out of a wildcard position, and just behind the Detroit Red Wings for third in the Atlantic Division. Montreal started the season well but has struggled recently perhaps symptom of a younger team learning how to play a full consistent season. That being said, the Canadiens boast a lethal power play ranked fourth in the league. However, a bottom-10 penalty kill may pose problems against the top ranked Penguin power-play in the league.
As expected, the Montréal Canadiens have received offence from a litany of different players, led by their captain Nick Suzuki. Suzuki has scored eight goals and 33 points and 29 games, with winger Cole Caufield right behind him scoring 16 goals and 31 points and 29 games. Rookie Ivan Demidov has done well, producing six goals in 23 points, placing in third on the team in scoring. Montreal also has three offensive defenceman capable of putting up points from the blue line, those Being Lane Hudson, Noah Dobson, and Mike Matheson. In net, expect Jakub Dobes to get the start. He is 10-5-2 with an .887 save percentage this season. With defence and goaltending being a critical problem this season, Montreal will need to be wary of the Penguins offensive weapons.
NHL Prediction
Montreal has been trending, downwards and recent weeks, struggling with consistency. Meanwhile, the Penguins, even in their losses have shown a better ability in the last couple of weeks of playing a more consistent team game. Although they haven’t gotten some of the production they’ve needed from their offence expect that to not last too long and expect the penguins to have a game in this one.
NHL Prediction: Penguins win 5-3
With two high scoring teams involved, expect another high scoring game in this one with that a popular prop bet of goals over seven with odds of +194 to be a good bet.
Prop Bet of the Night
Main Photo Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images
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The post NHL Predictions: Dec 11 Montreal Canadiens vs Pittsburgh Penguins appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.