Montreal Canadiens vs Pittsburgh Penguins prediction 12-13-23 NHL Picks

The Pittsburgh Penguins need a win after losing 4 of their last 5 games. The Montreal Canadiens need a win after losing 5 of their last 8 games. Let’s preview this game and give out a Pittsburgh Penguins vs Montreal Canadiens prediction.

Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Preview 

The Pittsburgh Penguins snapped a 4-game losing streak with a win over the Coyotes. The Pittsburgh Penguins are averaging 2.93 goals per game and are scoring on 11.4 percent of their power play opportunities. Sidney Crosby leads Pittsburgh with 15 goals, Jake Guentzel has 19 assists, and Bryan Rust has 71 shots on goal. Defensively, the Pittsburgh Penguins are allowing 2.59 goals per game and are killing 82.1 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Tristan Jarry has allowed 49 goals on 592 shots faced, and Alex Nedelijkovic has given up 11 goals on 175 shots.

Pittsburgh Penguins Team Facts

• The Penguins have lost each of their last four games as favorites following a win.
• The Penguins have covered the puck line in each of their last six night games on the second leg of a back-to-back.
• The Penguins have lost the first period in seven of their last eight night games following a home win.
• The 'Over 1.5 Goals Period 3' market has hit in each of the Penguins' last eight games as favorites against Atlantic Division opponents.

Montreal Canadiens Betting Preview 

The Montreal Canadiens have recent losses to the Kings and Predators, but did beat the Sabres over the weekend. The Montreal Canadiens are averaging 2.61 goals per game and are scoring on 16.7 percent of their power play opportunities. Sean Monahan leads Montreal with 8 goals, Nick Suzuki has 14 assists and Cole Caufield has 105 shots on goal. Defensively, the Montreal Canadiens are allowing 3.39 goals per game and are killing 73.5 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Jake Allen has given up 37 goals on 375 shots faced, and Sam Montembeault has allowed 33 goals on 376 shots.

Montreal Canadiens Team Facts

• The underdogs have won five of the last six games between the Penguins and Canadiens at Bell Centre.
• The Canadiens have covered the puck line in each of their last six games as home underdogs following a home loss.
• The 'Over 1.5 Goals Period 3' market has hit in each of the Canadiens' last 13 games as underdogs against Eastern Conference opponents.
• The favorites have won the second period in each of the last four games between the Penguins and Canadiens at Bell Centre.

Pittsburgh Penguins vs Montreal Canadiens prediction

The Pittsburgh Penguins are the better team on paper and should win, but they continue to underachieve, and the offense comes and goes. The Montreal Canadiens have issues of their own, but they have owned the Penguins in past meetings, which includes wins in the last three and victories in 7 of the last 10. If forced to pick between these two somewhat slumping sides, give me the Habs at home and the plus money.