NHL Odds, Prediction, Preview: Kings vs Canadiens Pick (Thursday, Dec. 7)
Via Zach BonDurant/Getty Images. Pictured: Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar (11) celebrates a goal with Los Angeles Kings center Adrian Kempe (9) during the first period of a hockey game between the Los Angeles Kings and the Arizona Coyotes on November 20, 2023, at Mullett Arena in Tempe, AZ.
Kings vs. Canadiens Odds
| Kings Odds | -220 |
| Canadiens Odds | +180 |
| Over / Under | 6.5 +100 / -122 |
Here's everything you need to know about Kings vs. Canadiens on Thursday, Dec. 7 — our expert NHL prediction and pick.
The Los Angeles Kings will look to continue their hot streak when they face the Montreal Canadiens tonight. The Kings have won seven of their last eight games. They're playing like one of the best teams in the league, but they still sit in second in the Pacific Division.
Montreal hasn’t exactly had the same luck. The Canadiens have played .500 hockey all season, going 4-5-1 in their last 10 games, and are sixth in the Atlantic Division.
The Canadiens are, however, coming off a win against the Kraken, so they’ll look to continue their winning ways against a hot Kings team.
Here’s a look at the odds, as well as my betting prediction and pick for the NHL matchup between the Los Angeles Kings and Montreal Canadiens.
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Los Angeles has had an influx of high-end production this season, including Adrian Kempe, who’s averaging over a point per game.
Behind him, Anze Kopitar, Trevor Moore and Kevin Fiala are all incredibly close to a point per game as well. Moore has been a huge revelation for the team with eight points in his last six games.
It’s truly marvelous to see what the Kings have done so far in 5-on-5 play. They rank first in Expected Goals with a 58.47 xGF%, and defensively, they rank second with a 2.18 xGA/60.
Los Angeles’ power play isn’t spectacular, scoring only 19.2% of the time. However, the penalty kill is stifling as it has succeeded at an 88.4% rate.
Cam Talbot will get the nod in tonight’s battle. He has had an inconsistent career in his 12 years in the NHL but is having his best start yet. In 15 starts, he’s playing to a .930 SV% and an exceptional +9.0 Goals Saved Above Expected (GSAx).
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While Montreal hasn’t had the most successful season, it’s done a decent job of spreading the wealth.
Sean Monahan is having himself a career resurgence by leading the team in scoring with eight goals, and the duo of Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield are right behind Monahan with seven goals each.
However, tonight the Habs will be without Alex Newhook, who has been a big contributor in his first season in Montreal.
The Habs still have a lot of work to do at even strength. They rank 26th with a 46.11 xGF%, and defensively, they’re 28th with a 2.97 xGA/60.
Montreal even struggles in special teams. The team scores on the power play at a lowly 17.7% clip and is even worse on the penalty kill, succeeding just 73% of the time.
With a three-man rotation, it’s never easy to figure out who’s taking the crease. Sam Montembeault recently started on Monday and has played exceptionally. Jake Allen hasn’t had the same luck and hasn’t won a game since October. Cayden Primeau hasn’t played in a week but is rather inconsistent.
Montembeault gives the Habs the best chance to win with a .913 SV% and +2.7 GSAx, and after Thursday's morning skake, coach Martin St. Louis confirmed he's going with Montembeault tonight.
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Kings vs. Canadiens
Betting Pick & Prediction
The last time these two teams squared off was two weeks ago, and the Kings ran roughshod over the Habs 4-0.
What can we expect in tonight's matchup?
Well, as we all know with the NHL, coaches are very very discreet when it comes to who’s starting in net. We know Talbot is starting for LA, but Montreal's starter remains a question. Allen is a serviceable vet, but he’s not Montreal’s best in net. Given how Montreal’s goaltending trend has gone, I don’t think we’ll see Montembeault though.
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The Kings are drastically the better team by record, metrics and overall talent. They’re playing like a team that belongs in the Stanley Cup Final right now.
If Montembeault wasn't slated to start, I felt this game might get out of hand, and I had recommend taking the Kings on the puck line -1.5 goals at +108.
However, because he is starting, I'll be betting this more conservatively with an Under 6.5 wager because both Montembeault and Talbot are really sound in their net. As of this writing on Thursday afternoon, multiple sportsbooks, including Caesars and DraftKings, have u6.5 available at -120 odds.
Pick: Under 6.5 (-120)
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