Tag: Canadiens Penguins betting odds lines picks best bets

The Montreal Canadiens and the Pittsburgh Penguins tangle in Game 4 of their best-of-five Eastern Conference qualification round series Friday at 4 p.m. ET at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. We analyze the Canadiens-Penguins NHL betting odds and lines, with picks and best bets.

Series: Canadiens lead 2-1.

Canadiens vs. Penguins: Projected starting goalies

Carey Price vs. Matt Murray/Tristan Jarry

Price is a huge reason why the 12th-seeded Canadiens have pushed the fifth-seeded Pens to the brink of elimination. Price is 2-1-0 with a 2.19 goals against average and .937 save percentage through three games. The only loss came in Game 2, and that’s because Pittsburgh’s offense provided just one goal of support.

As far as that offensive support is concerned, F Brendan Gallagher is dealing with a lower-body injury and is clearly not 100 percent, although he tries to soldier on.

Penguins coach Mike Sullivan has yet to make an official decision, but we’re projecting the All-Star Jarry to get the starting nod in Game 4. Murray is 1-2-0 with a 2.50 GAA and .914 SV% in the series. Those aren’t terrible numbers. The Pens trail 2-1 for a multitude of reasons, and both of their losses are just by one goal each. More offensive production is needed as they have averaged just 2.7 goals per game in the series.

Murray might actually start, but he’ll be on a short leash. Montreal’s game-winning goal in Game 3 by Jeff Petry from a terrible angle hit Murray in the helmet and deflected in. That ricochet shot has the fans in the Steel City up in arms, and yinz might very well get your wish with Jarry.

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Canadiens vs. Penguins: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 4:31 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Penguins 3, Canadiens 2

Moneyline (ML)

The PENGUINS (-167) have been crushing moneyline bettors playing the favorite so far in this series. They just haven’t been hitting on all offensive cylinders, and you have to figure a breakout is coming. There’s just too much talent in black and gold. Price has neutralized Sidney Crosby, Jake Guentzel, Evgeni Malkin and company for the most part. Look for the offense to be a little frustrated again in this one, but the Pens will do enough to stay alive and force a decisive Game 5.

New to sports betting? A $10 moneyline bet on the Penguins (-167) returns a profit of $5.99 if they win.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The Penguins (-1.5, +165) cannot be trusted on the puck line, and betting Pens (-1, +100) doesn’t make much sense, as I am expecting a one-goal game. There is no reason to play a win on the moneyline into a push by betting a -1. In fact, if Pittsburgh wins this one, looking ahead, there would be no reason to bet the puck line in Game 5, either. That would be an equally tight contest. AVOID.

Over/Under (O/U)

UNDER 5.5 (-129) has cashed in two of the first three games in this series, with Game 3’s total of seven goals the only result to cash Over. While the Pens have a ton of experience, especially in the postseason, nerves will definitely be there in this one. It would be an embarrassing loss to get bounced by the 12-seed. Look for the Pens to be careful, and look for the Habs to also be very tight, as they try to not make any mistakes to allow odd-man rushes down the ice to help the Pens to stay alive.

Want some action in this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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The Montreal Canadiens and the Pittsburgh Penguins battle in Game 2 of their qualifying round Monday at 8 p.m. ET at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. We analyze the Canadiens-Penguins’ NHL betting odds and lines, with picks and best bets.

Canadiens vs. Penguins: Projected starting goalies

Carey Price vs. Matt Murray

Price was superb in Game 1, stopping 39 of the 41 pucks he faced in a 3-2 overtime upset victory. He had a bit of a hiccup midway through the second period, yielding an even-strength goal to Penguins C Sidney Crosby and a power-play goal to Bryan Rust just 2:39 later; however, he regrouped and the Habs never fell behind at any point in the opener.

Murray allowed goals to Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Nick Suzuki and Jeff Petry (OT winner) in the opening-game loss, but most people would agree that none of the even-strength goals were his fault. Head coach Mike Sullivan would be crazy to turn to Tristan Jarry after Game 1, but desperate times also call for desperate measures. Another loss in Game 2 and then it’s win or go home in this five-game series against the 12th-seeded Habs.

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Canadiens vs. Penguins: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 7:40 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Penguins 5, Canadiens 2

Moneyline (ML)

The PENGUINS (-176) were stunned in Game 1, and you can bet they’re not going to be surprised again. If Murray allows any goals early on, whether or not they’re his fault, Jarry will get the call, but it’s unlikely he’ll fall behind. The Canadiens (+150) won’t catch the Pens napping in this one, and you can expect Sullivan to whip his team into shape ahead of this crucial and unexpected near-must-win game. They’re not losing to the No. 12 seed again in the series.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Penguins (-176) to win returns a profit of $5.70, while a $10 wager on the Canadiens (+150) results in a profit of $15.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The PENGUINS -1.5 (+165) can be expected to fire out of the chute early in this one, and Price will face a blitzkrieg of gold and yellow in the first period. I expect puck line bettors to be very pleased early on, as Pittsburgh builds a big lead and hangs on to win by more than two goals. Grab the Pens on the alternate line.

Over/Under (O/U)

OVER 5.5 (+105) is a great value, as the Penguins are likely to be very embarrassed about their Game 1 showing. Look for them to crash the net early and often, trying to throw Price from his comfort zone. The Pens and the Over make for a nice parlay opportunity, too.

Want some action in this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter, and like us on Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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The Montreal Canadiens and the Pittsburgh Penguins meet Saturday in Game 1 of their best-of-five NHL Playoffs Qualifier Series round at 8 p.m. ET at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, one of two hub locations for the NHL restart. We analyze the Canadiens-Penguins’ NHL betting odds and lines, with picks and best bets.

Canadiens vs. Penguins: Projected starting goalies

Carey Price vs. Tristan Jarry/Matt Murray

Price posted a 27-25-6 record, 2.79 goals against average and .909 save percentage across his 58 starts before the pause button was pressed on the NHL regular season. Price was struggling a little bit before the break, though, losing four of his previous five starts, and winning just twice in regulation over his past 14 outings. Perhaps the rest will end up being a godsend for the veteran backstop. He allowed three goals on 27 shots in his most recent showing against the Pens on Feb. 14, but he is 1-1-1 with a 2.32 GAA and .929 SV% in three head-to-head meetings this season.

While Price is the unquestioned starter for the Habs, the goaltender picture in the Steel City is a bit muddled. To make matters even more complicated, a Game 1 starter hasn’t been announced, and both tendies made an appearance in the final preseason game. Jarry earned an All-Star bid, going 20-12-1 with a 2.43 GAA and .921 SV% across 31 starts and two relief appearances, but he dropped his last four starts before COVID struck. Murray’s overall body of work doesn’t look as impressive, although he was 20-11-5. He posted a 2.87 GAA and .899 SV% in his 38 starts but had won three of four before the break.

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Canadiens vs. Penguins: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated Saturday at 7:25 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Penguins 4, Canadiens 3

Moneyline (ML)

The PENGUINS (-167) have picked up wins in eight of their past 11 meetings against the Canadiens (+140), so Pittsburgh is probably the last team Montreal wanted to see in the bubble. Keep in mind, however, that the underdog has connected in five of the past six meetings. Don’t let that dissuade you from picking Pittsburgh, however, as it just has more firepower on offense.

New to sports betting? A winning $10 bet on the Penguins (-167) to win returns a profit of $5.99, while a $10 wager on the Canadiens (+140) results in a profit of $14.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The PENGUINS (-1.5, +165) is a tempting play, and you might as well make a small-unit wager on the puck line if you’re feeling Pittsburgh in Game 1. Over the past 10 meetings in this series, Pittsburgh has won seven times. Of those seven wins, the Pens covered the puck line on six occasions.

Over/Under (O/U)

OVER 5.5 (-110) is a good play, as Price, Jarry and Murray have each had their moments this season. However, they’ve also had their streaks of poor play, and we could see the offenses roll it up early in this series. While the Under has cashed in four in a row, we have had a total of 65 goals across the previous 10 meetings, or 6.5 total goals per game.

Want some action in this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter, and like us on Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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