Canadiens vs Penguins Prediction 10/3/2026 Today’s NHL Picks

In this article we will formulate a Canadiens vs Penguins prediction for this NHL game on Saturday, October 3rd at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.

Montreal Canadiens Betting Preview

The Montreal Canadiens are 1-0-0 this season after they defeated the Maple Leafs by a score of 3-2 in their first game. Montreal trailed 1-0 early in the first period, but they scored the next three goals and hung on for the win. The Canadiens were out shot by a total of 28-24, won 60.4% of the face-offs, and went 0-2 on the power play in the game. Montreal was led by Josh Anderson, who had one goal and one assist, while Jakub Dobes stopped 26 out of 28 shots, which was a .929 save percentage in the win. 

The Canadiens went 48-24-10 last year and they finished third in the Atlantic Division with 106 points. Montreal was tied with Tampa Bay in the Atlantic, but lost the tiebreaker, while they were three points behind the Sabres in first. The Canadiens started the season with a 5-2 loss against the Maple Leafs, but they were 6-2 through eight games. Montreal defeated the Lightning and Sabres in the playoffs, but lost to the Hurricanes in five games in the Eastern Conference Finals. The Canadiens scored 279 goals last year, which was seventh, while they allowed 251 goals against, which was 16th. 

Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Preview

The Pittsburgh Penguins are 1-0-0 this year after they defeated the Flyers by a score of 7-0 in their last game. Pittsburgh scored two goals in the first period, three in the second, and two in the third in the shutout loss. The Penguins out shot Philadelphia by a total of 38-19, won 37.9% of the face-offs, and went 2-4 on the power play in the game. Pittsburgh was led by Nick Robertson, who had two goals and four shots, while Arturs Silovs stopped all 19 shots in the shutout win. 

Last year, Pittsburgh went 41-25-16 and they finished with 98 points, which was tied for second in the Metro Division. The Penguins were 15 points behind the Hurricanes in first and they barely made the playoffs in front of the Capitals. Pittsburgh did make the playoffs, but they lost to the Flyers in six games and had a ton of trouble scoring. The Penguins scored 290 goals last year, which was 3rd in the NHL, while they allowed 258 goals against, which was 24th. 

Why the Pittsburgh Penguins will win

• The Canadiens have lost four of their last five games as a favorite when playing with a rest advantage.
• The Penguins have won seven of their last nine games as home underdogs following a road win.
• The Canadiens have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last nine games as road favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.
• The underdogs have covered the puck line in each of the Penguins’ last four games.
• The Penguins have won the third period in each of their last four games as underdogs when leading after the second period.

Why the Montreal Canadiens will win

• The favorites have won eight of the last nine games between the Canadiens and Penguins.
• The Penguins have lost eight of their last nine Saturday night games at PPG Paints Arena.
• The Penguins have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last four home games.
• The road team has covered the puck line in six of the Penguins’ last seven games.
• The Canadiens have won the second period in six of their last seven road games against Eastern Conference opponents when tied after the first period.

Total Goals Facts

• Six of the Penguins’ last seven games as underdogs following a road win have gone OVER the total goals line.
• Four of the Canadiens’ last five games against Eastern Conference opponents have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Canadiens’ last 13 games against Eastern Conference opponents.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in eight of the Penguins’ last nine games against Atlantic Division opponents.

Pittsburgh Penguins Player Prop Facts

• Andrei Kuzmenko has scored a goal in each of his last three home appearances against Eastern Conference opponents.
• Sidney Crosby has recorded at least one assist in seven of the Penguins’ last eight home games against the Canadiens.

Montreal Canadiens Player Prop Facts

• Alexandre Carrier has recorded an assist in five of the Canadiens’ last six road games against Eastern Conference opponents.

Canadiens vs Penguins Prediction 

Pittsburgh comes into this matchup after a blowout win over the Flyers in their first game and they will be back at home here. Montreal barely got by Toronto in their first game and they have been off since Tuesday. The Canadiens already have a win on the road and they have plenty of young talent in the lineup. I really like this Montreal team this year and I am taking them to get the win in this one.

David Racey's Pick: Canadiens ML