Pittsburgh Penguins vs Montreal Canadiens Prediction NHL Picks 10/14/24

The Pittsburgh Penguins and Montreal Canadiens meet Monday in NHL action at the Bell Centre. Here’s a Pittsburgh Penguins vs Montreal Canadiens Prediction. This article will include a Pittsburgh Penguins vs Montreal Canadiens Pick.

Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Preview

The Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Red Wings, lost to the Maple Leafs, and play the Sabres next. The Pittsburgh Penguins are averaging 2.67 goals per game and are scoring 22.2 percent of their power play opportunities. Anthony Beauvillier leads Pittsburgh with 2 goals, Evgeni Malkin has 4 assists, and Sidney Crosby has 9 shots on goal. Defensively, the Pittsburgh Penguins are allowing 4.33 goals per game and are killing 90 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Tristan Jarry has allowed 6 goals on 40 shots faced, and Joel Blomqvist has given up 6 goals on 64 shots.

Montreal Canadiens Betting Preview

The Montreal Canadiens lost to the Bruins, beat the Senators, and play the Kings next. The Montreal Canadiens are averaging 3 goals per game and are scoring on 20 percent of their power play opportunities. Cole Caufield leads Montreal with 4 goals, Kaiden Guhle has 3 assists and Brendan Gallagher has 10 shots on goal. Defensively, the Montreal Canadiens are allowing 2.33 goals per game and are killing 92.3 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Cayden Primeau has given up 6 goals on 29 shots faced, and Sam Montembeault has allowed 1 goal on 73 shots.

Why the Montreal Canadiens will win

• The Penguins have lost four of their last five games as road favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.
• The Canadiens have won three of their last four games as home underdogs against Eastern Conference opponents.
• The underdogs have covered the puck line in seven of the Canadiens’ last eight games.
• The Penguins have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last four games as road favorites against Atlantic Division opponents.
• The Penguins have lost the third period in three of their last four games as road favorites.

Montreal Canadiens Player Prop Facts

• Juraj Slafkovsky has recorded at least one assist in six of the Canadiens’ last seven home games.
• Cole Caufield has scored at least one goal in each of the Canadiens’ last four games as underdogs.
• Cole Caufield has recorded at least one point in each of the Canadiens’ last seven home games.

Pittsburgh Penguins Player Prop Facts

• Evgeni Malkin has recorded at least one assist in seven of the Penguins’ last eight games against Atlantic Division opponents.
• Rickard Rakell has scored a goal in three of the Penguins’ last four road games.
• Evgeni Malkin has recorded at least one point in each of his last eight appearances in night games at Bell Centre.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Montreal Canadiens rank T1st in the league for power-play goals this season (3).
• The Montreal Canadiens rank T1st in the league for power-play goals against this season (1).
• The Pittsburgh Penguins rank T30th in the league for shots against per game this season (35.0).
• The Pittsburgh Penguins rank T8th in the league for power-play goals this season (2).

Pittsburgh Penguins vs Montreal Canadiens Prediction

The Pittsburgh Penguins are getting the benefit of the doubt because they’re the Penguins, but it’s the Habs who are coming off back-to-back strong offensive performances. The Penguins will also be playing their third straight road game, and that’s a lot of traveling out of the gate. Also, four of the last six games between the Penguins and Canadiens have seen overtime, so these meetings are usually tight. I like plus money in my pocket in these sorts of spots. At home and with strong performances through their first three games, I’ll take a shot with the Canadiens and the more favorable price.