Pittsburgh Penguins vs Montreal Canadiens Prediction NHL Picks 12/12/24

In this article we will formulate a Pittsburgh Penguins vs Montreal Canadiens prediction for this NHL game on Thursday, December 12th at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup. 

Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Preview

The Pittsburgh Penguins are 12-14-4 this season after they lost to Colorado by a score of 6-2 in their last game. Pittsburgh cut the deficit from 3-0 to 3-2 in the second period, but they allowed the last three goals in the game for the loss. The Penguins recorded 27 shots on goal, won 61.8% of the face-offs, and went 0-4 on the power play in the game. Pittsburgh got goals from Bunting and Glass, while Jarry stopped 21 out of 26 shots in the game. 

Prior to that loss, the Penguins defeated Toronto by a score of 5-2 but did lose to the Rangers before that. Pittsburgh has scored 2.83 goals per game and they have allowed 3.80 goals against per game, while also going 21.6% on the power play and 80.5% on the penalty kill this season. Sidney Crosby has led Pittsburgh with eight goals, 19 assists, and 89 shots on goal, while Tristan Jarry is 5-4-1 with a 3.81 goals-against average and a .881 save percentage this year. 

Montreal Canadiens Betting Preview

The Montreal Canadiens are 11-14-3 this year after they defeated Anaheim in a shootout by a score of 3-2 in their last game. Montreal was able to tie the game at two in the second period, and they eventually picked up the win in the shootout. The Canadiens were outshot by a total of 29-21, won 50% of the face-offs, and went 1-2 on the power play in the game. Montreal got goals from Laine and Dach, while Montembeault stopped 27 out of 29 shots in the win. 

Prior to that game, the Canadiens lost to Washington by a score of 4-2 but did beat Nashville and New York before that. Montreal has scored 2.75 goals per game and they have allowed 3.54 goals against per game, while also going 22.1% on the power play and 82.5% on the penalty kill this season. Nick Suzuki has led Montreal with 10 goals, 19 assists, and 61 shots on goal, while Sam Montembeault is 9-11-2 with a 2.83 goals-against average and a .906 save percentage this year. 

Why the Canadiens will beat the Penguins 

• The Penguins have lost five of their last seven games as road favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.
• The Canadiens have won four of their last six games as home underdogs after coming off overtime.
• The Canadiens have covered the puck line in seven of their last eight games as home underdogs after coming off overtime.
• The Penguins have failed to cover the puck line in nine of their last 11 games as road favorites against Atlantic Division opponents.
• The Penguins have lost the third period in three of their last four games.

Total Goals Facts

• Five of the Penguins’ last six games as road favorites following a home loss have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• Four of the last five games between the Penguins and Canadiens at Bell Centre have gone OVER the total goals line.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Canadiens’ last 10 games following a home win.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in 18 of the Penguins’ last 19 road games against Eastern Conference opponents.

Montreal Canadiens Player Prop Facts

• Patrik Laine has scored at least one goal in five of his last six appearances at Bell Centre.
• Lane Hutson has recorded at least one point in each of the Canadiens’ last seven games.
• Lane Hutson has recorded at least one assist in each of the Canadiens’ last seven games as underdogs against Eastern Conference opponents.

Pittsburgh Penguins Player Prop Facts

• Drew O’Connor has scored a goal in each of the Penguins’ last six Thursday night games against Atlantic Division opponents.
• Evgeni Malkin has recorded at least one point in each of his last nine appearances in night games at Bell Centre.
• Sidney Crosby has recorded an assist in seven of the Penguins’ last eight games against Eastern Conference opponents.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Montreal Canadiens rank 32nd in the league for shots per game this season (24.2).
• The Montreal Canadiens rank 3rd in the league in penalty minutes this season (305).
• The Pittsburgh Penguins rank T2nd in the league in short-handed goals allowed this season (1).
• The Pittsburgh Penguins rank 30th in the league for shots against per game this season (32.3).

Pittsburgh Penguins vs Montreal Canadiens Prediction 

Montreal comes into this matchup after winning three of their last four games and their defense has shown improvement. The Canadiens are 8-6-2 at home this year, while the Penguins are 4-7-2 on the road. Pittsburgh has dropped two of their last three, but they have played very well over the last two or three weeks. Both teams look like they are headed in the right direction, but Montreal looks very good defensively right now. Take the Canadiens here. 

David Racey's Pick: Canadiens ML