Montreal Canadiens vs. Edmonton Oilers Prediction, Preview, and Odds
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The Montreal Canadiens (25-31-11) came into 2023-24 as somewhat of an unknown in the Eastern Conference, and while they've flashed the potential to be a great team, the consistency just hasn't been there, so while they're not far from a playoff spot, this is a team still a year or two away from competing at that level.
On Tuesday they'll battle the Edmonton Oilers (40-21-4), who shook off a horror start to the season to be one of the NHL's hottest teams over the past three months, and if they can peak at the right time, this is a team that's ready to finally make a deep run in the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2023-24.
Can the Canadiens build towards 2024-25?
The Montreal Canadiens have been rebuilding for a number of years now, and while there's been some flashes, they have been poor for the most part with just three victories in their past 14 games, taking them to 25-31-11 on the season, good for seventh place in the highly competitive Atlantic Division. On the road this season, Montreal have struggled to find sustained success with an 12-14-7 record in 33 games played, with the -48 goal differential signifying that this team still has a long way to go before they can catch up to the top teams in the division and in the loaded Eastern Conference.
Leading the way for the Canadiens this season has been Captain Nick Suzuki with 26 goals and 63 points in 68 games played, while Cole Caufield has contributed another 20 goal campaign, and in net they've been solid once more as three names have combined for a 3.43 GAA and a .901 save percentage. Last time out for Montreal was a tough road loss to the Calgary Flames, with goals to Caufield and Savard not enough to keep this one close as Cayden Primeau allowed five goals on 28 shots, enough for the Flames to pick up the 5-2 victory.
Can the Oilers get their way into top spot in the Pacific?
The Edmonton Oilers have been on a non-stop roll since turning their season around back in late November, and even now they have tallied victories in seven of their past 10 games, taking them to 40-21-4 on the season, good for second spot in the Pacific Division, just eight points behind the Vancouver Canucks for top spot. In 32 games at home this season, Edmonton have dominated the competition with a 21-8-3 record, and with a goal differential of +45 on the year, if they are able to peak when the playoffs roll around, there's few teams in the Western Conference able to slow them down.
Leading the way once again for the Oilers in 2023-24 has been Captain and superstar forward Connor McDavid, with an incredible 81 assists and 106 points in just 63 games played, while the duo of Skinner and Pickard in net have excelled to a combined 2.52 GAA and a .914 save percentage. Last time out for Edmonton was a tough home loss against the Colorado Avalanche, with a fantastic performance from Stuart Skinner in net (40 saves on 43 shots) not enough to get them over the top as they would fall to the Central Division leaders by a tight margin 3-2 in OT.
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Full-Game Side Bet
Rating:
Despite the major talent advantage that the Edmonton Oilers have in this matchup, they hold just a 6-4 mark in their past 10 head-to-head meetings with Montreal, with their only encounter this season-ending 2-1 to the Oilers in overtime.
Surprisingly, the tally is 2-2 in their past four meetings in Edmonton, but with the Canadiens struggling as of late, winning just one of their past eight games away from home, this should be a one-sided affair, with the Oilers picking up another two points in their chase for the Pacific Division crown.
Prediction: Edmonton -1.5
Full-Game Total Pick
Rating:
Neither of these teams is lacking for talent in net, but it's the offensive groups that lead the way whenever they do battle, with the over sitting at 7-3 in their past 10 matchups, with their past four meetings in Edmonton averaging a total of seven goals per game.
For the Canadiens, the over is 5-4-1 in their past 10 overall games, with an average of four goals allowed in their past six played away from home, and for the Oilers, the over is just 2-8 in their past 10, averaging an impressive 3.5 goals per game over that time, but with the Canadiens sliding, expect the offensive to fire in this one.
