Canadiens vs Penguins Prediction NHL Picks 1/27/24
The Montreal Canadiens will play the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday night at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Montreal has lost three of their last four games, while Pittsburgh has lost five of their last six. Let’s take a look at the betting matchup and the Canadiens vs Penguins prediction.
Canadiens Preview
The Montreal Canadiens are 20-21-7 this season after they defeated the Islanders by a score of 4-3 in their last game. Montreal blew a 3-0 first period lead, but they were able to score with only 2:12 left in the game for the win. The Canadiens were out shot by a total of 46-26 and went 2-5 on the power play in the game. Montreal had lost their previous three games against Ottawa (twice) and Boston. The Canadiens are scoring 2.71 goals per game and they are allowing 3.50 goals against per game, while going 19.4% on the power play and 73.2% on the penalty kill. Nick Suzuki has led Montreal with 13 goals, 28 assists, and 108 shots on goal. The projected starting goalie for Montreal is Jake Allen, who is 5-9-2 this season with a 3.46 goals against average and a .900 save percentage.
Montreal Canadiens Player Prop Facts
- Cole Caufield has scored a goal in six of the Canadiens' last seven games.
- Cole Caufield has recorded at least one point in each of the Canadiens' last eight games against opponents who are playing on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- Mike Matheson has recorded an assist in five of his last six appearances against former teams.
- Mike Matheson ranks 1st in the Atlantic Division for average time on ice (25:15) this season.
Penguins Preview
The Pittsburgh Penguins are 21-17-7 this season after they lost to Florida in a shootout by a score of 3-2 in their last game. Pittsburgh trailed 2-1 late in the third period, but they were able to tie the game with 42 seconds left, before losing in the shootout. The Penguins out shot Florida by a total of 37-31 and went 1-8 on the power play in the game. Pittsburgh lost to Arizona by a score of 5-2 and Vegas by a score of 3-2 in the two games prior to Pittsburgh. The Penguins are scoring 2.98 goals per game and they are allowing 2.73 goals against per game, while going 13.3% on the power play and 82.8% on the penalty kill. Sidney Crosby has led Pittsburgh 27 goals, 22 assists, and 166 shots on goal. The projected starting goalie for Pittsburgh is Tristan Jarry, who is 12-14-4 this year with a 2.56 goals against average and a .913 save percentage.
Pittsburgh Penguins Player Prop Facts
- Sidney Crosby has scored at least one goal in five of the Penguins' last six games as home favorites.
- Erik Karlsson has recorded at least one point in each of the Penguins' last 10 games.
- Erik Karlsson has recorded an assist in each of the Penguins' last six games.
- Erik Karlsson has recorded two assists against the Canadiens this season - equal-most against any opponent.
Canadiens vs Penguins Betting Prediction
Pittsburgh played well enough to get the win on Friday night, but their power play only went 1-8 and they had to settle for one point. The Penguins have lost five of their last six games and they have scored two goals or fewer in four of their last five. Montreal did get a win in their last game against the Islanders, but they were severely out shot in the game. Prior to that, the Canadiens were out scored by a total of 19-7 in three straight losses. I know the Penguins are on a back to back and they have struggled to score, but I think they figure things out and take advantage of a bad Montreal defense. Take the over in this game.
