The Montreal Canadiens (27-25-7) visit the Steel City to play the Pittsburgh Penguins (34-15-6) at PPG Paints Arena in a 7 p.m. ET puck drop. We analyze the Canadiens-Penguins odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips around this matchup.
Canadiens at Penguins: Projected starting goalies
Carey Price vs. Matt Murray
Price dropped his last two starts against the Boston Bruins (4-1) and the Arizona Coyotes (3-2). His record is 24-20-4 with a .913 save percentage and 2.71 goals against average through 48 games played (all starts).
In the other crease, Murray is coming in on consecutive losses himself, but both were to the Tampa Bay Lightning, who have the second-most points in the NHL. Murray is 16-7-5 on the season with a .902 SV% and 2.82 GAA.
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Canadiens at Penguins: Odds, picks and betting tips
Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 12:10 p.m. ET.
Prediction
Penguins 3, Canadiens 2
Moneyline (ML)
This is the third meeting this year between the Canadiens and Penguins with the season series tied 1-1. Both games were won by the road team and both went Over the projected total. The Canadiens (+155) have been better on the road this season with a 14-10-3 record and a plus-.26 goal differential on the road compared to a 13-15-4 record and minus-.33 goal differential at home. Also, Montreal has won two straight games in Pittsburgh.
The Penguins (-189) are one of the better teams at home this season with a 19-5-4 record in Pittsburgh. Their scheduled starting goalie, Murray, has a 4-1 lifetime record against Montreal with a .921 SV% and 2.19 GAA. PASS ON THE MONEYLINE because there isn’t enough value on either side.
Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
Despite the low odds, the CANADIENS (+1.5, -167) are the right play here because of their against the spread trends. Montreal is 17-10 ATS on the road and 21-7 when getting 1.5 goals. Pittsburgh is just 11-17 ATS at home and 13-23 when laying 1.5 goals. Price has been better on the road than at home this season. He has a better record, higher SV% and lower GAA in 21 road starts. Also, the underdog is 5-0 in the last five meetings.
Over/Under (O/U)
The last three Canadiens-Penguins games went Under the projected total. Plus, the Under has cashed in four straight Canadiens games and two consecutive Penguins games. The Canadiens have played a lot of close, low-scoring games against quality opponents recently. The Under is 3-0-1 in the Canadiens last four games versus a team with a winning record and 5-1-1 in the Canadiens last seven games as an underdog.
BET UNDER 5.5 (+105).
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