The Montreal Canadiens (19-12-5) and Boston Bruins (20-16-1) meet in the NHL tonight. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. EST at TD Garden in Boston, Mass. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN+.
The Bruins are favored by -1.5 on the puck line, with the over/under set at 5.5 (-134o / +110u). The Bruins are a -120 favorite to win outright, while the Canadiens are +100 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Canadiens vs. Bruins predictions and NHL picks.
Canadiens vs. Bruins Odds, Pick
| Canadiens Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -250 | 5.5 -134o / +110u | +100 |
| Bruins Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +200 | 5.5 -134o / +110u | -120 |
- Canadiens vs. Bruins Spread: Bruins -1.5 (+200 ), Canadiens +1.5 (-250)
- Canadiens vs. Bruins Over/Under: 5.5 (-134o / +110u)
- Canadiens vs. Bruins Moneyline: Canadiens +100, Bruins -120
Canadiens vs. Bruins Preview
Montreal Canadiens
Montreal is a team that won’t be going anywhere any time soon… unless the goaltending holds up.
This is a team that has all the talent in the world, and the fact that the Canadiens are second in the Atlantic with two goalies playing at sub-.900 SV% is beyond incredible.
However, I see an opening for the Habs, as Jakub Dobes has been playing at a high level in his recent three starts. He had two rough outings in a row against the Lightning and the Blues, and his numbers dropped. But since then, he’s played to a .933 SV%.
I love the young trio in Montreal that consists of captain Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield and Lane Hutson.
Though Hutson has had a drop in play this season, it’s to be expected out of second-year players like himself. Caufield and Suzuki though, can carry the load until Hutson comes back into shape, which from the looks of it, he already is with six points in his past five games.
Montreal’s 5-on-5 play though as of late hasn’t been great, ranking in the bottom 10 in both offensive expected goals and expected goals against per 60 minutes.
Luckily, because of the dynamic trio, Montreal’s power play has kept it alive in games, with a combined 44 points.
Boston Bruins
This has been an exceptionally ugly stretch for the Bruins, who have lost four out of their last five games, as well as three straight losses – all at home.
In the month of December, Boston has played to a lowly 48.25 xGF% at offensive 5-on-5 play, while the defense hasn’t been much better with a 3.05 xGA/60.
It makes you wonder if that early-season play was all luck, or if the B’s were just saved by goaltending?
The power play has still been hummin’ with a goal in each of the previous four games, but if you can’t perform well at even strength, good luck maintaining any success.
Both Morgan Geekie and David Pastrnak are still lighting up the scoresheet, as Geekie is still on pace to shatter his career high in goals.
We knew how great Pastrnak has been, but Geekie continues to be a surprise around the league. But how could a former 30-goal scorer be a surprise to people? Because it’s the career he led prior to coming to Beantown.
He was always a good player, but never consistent enough to be an everyday performer.
As mentioned, in goal, Jeremy Swayman has been everything Boston has needed. Opposing teams may be figuring him out a bit more, but he’s still been the type of player Boston has needed to rely on.
This may be the time for Montreal to capitalize, though, as Swayman has been playing to a 3.0 GSAx in the past 10 games, with an .894 SV%.
Canadiens vs. Bruins Prediction
I'm going to ride with Montreal here.
Given that Swayman has been playing below his usual pace, and that the Habs are actually one of the better teams on the road in the league, this seems like a strong candidate to back the underdog here.
Sure, Montreal's 5-on-5 game hasn't been great as of late, but Boston is the most penalized team in the league — and it's not particularly close. That allows the Habs to capitalize on not just a vulnerable goaltender, but a penalty kill that still hasn't found true momentum yet.
Pick: Canadiens ML
