Bruins vs Canadiens Prediction
The Boston Bruins will play the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday night at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec. Boston only has one regulation loss this season, while Montreal snapped their losing streak in Detroit last game.
Bruins Preview
The Boston Bruins are 11-1-1 this season after they defeated the New York Islanders by a score of 5-2 in their last game. Boston was tied at two in the third period, but they scored three goals in the final period for the win. The Bruins out shot New York by a total of 35-29 and went 2-3 on the power play in the game. Boston’s lone regulation loss this season came against the Red Wings by a score of 5-4. The Boston Bruins offense is scoring 3.31 goals per game and they are allowing 1.92 goals against per game, while going 20.9% on the power play and 92.2% on the penalty kill. David Pastrnak has led Boston this year with 10 goals, 10 assists, and 60 shots on goal. The projected starting goalie for Boston is Jeremy Swayman, who is 6-0-0 this season with a 1.49 goals against average and a .952 save percentage.
Canadiens Preview
The Montreal Canadiens are 6-5-2 this year after they defeated the Detroit Red Wings by a score of 3-2 in overtime in their last game. Montreal led 1-0 and 2-1, but Detroit forced overtime, before Montreal scored on the power play to win. The Canadiens were out shot by a total of 29-26 and went 2-5 on the power play in the game. Montreal had lost their previous four games to Tampa Bay, St. Louis, Arizona, and Vegas. The Montreal Canadiens are scoring 2.92 goals per game and they are allowing 3.39 goals against per game, while going 21.8% on the power play and 75.4% on the penalty kill. Cole Caufield has led the Canadiens with five goals, eight assists, and 52 shots on goal this year. The projected starting goalie for Montreal is Jake Allen, who is 3-2-1 with a 3.35 goals against average and a .910 save percentage.
Matchup/League Facts
The Boston Bruins ranks 2nd in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (92.16%).
The Boston Bruins ranks 8th in the league in penalty minutes this season (151).
The Boston Bruins ranks T9th in the league for Period 3 goals allowed per game this season (0.92).
The Montreal Canadiens ranks T13th in the league for Period 3 goals scored per game this season (1.23).
The Montreal Canadiens ranks 20th in the league for Period 2 goals scored per game this season (0.85).
The Montreal Canadiens ranks T21st in the league for goals against per game this season (3.38).
Pick
Montreal was really struggling going into their last game against Detroit, but they got a big win and snapped their losing streak. Boston is the best team in the Eastern Conference and they are 5-1 on the road. The Bruins are only allowing 1.92 goals against per game and they have two great goaltenders. This Boston team is playing at a very high level right now and I can’t go against them. Take the Bruins on the road to win by at least two goals.
