Penguins vs Canadiens Prediction, Picks & NHL Odds

Montreal Canadiens goalie Sam Montembeault has won consecutive starts and will look to make it three in a row with a home win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday, October 14.

Our top Penguins vs. Canadiens predictions and NHL picks expect another strong game from Montembeault in a low-scoring battle at the Bell Centre tonight.

Penguins vs Canadiens prediction

My best bet
Sam Montembeault Over 29.5 saves (-120 at Bet99)

My analysis

The Montreal Canadiens are giving up shots in bunches, and their possession numbers remain among the worst in the league dating back to last season. Montreal finished 29th with a 47.1 Corsi For percentage at 5-on-5, and the Habs are at a 38.4% mark through the first three Games of the year while allowing 34.0 shots per Game.

Habs No. 1 goalie Sam Montembeault has been spectacular to start, too. He’s turned away 72 of 73 shots for a near-perfect .986 save percentage and 2.00 goals saved above average per 60 minutes. Those numbers are unsustainably high, but they also reinforce just how impressive the 27-year-old tendy has been.

This should also check out as a solid matchup for Montembeault to pad the saves column again. The Pittsburgh Penguins have driven possession at 5-on-5 with a 52.9 CF%, and they posted 31 and 28 shots in their first two games before being held to just 23 by the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday.

With Montreal giving up so many shots and attempts and having poor 5-on-5 possession numbers dating back to last season, I anticipate the Pens rebounding and putting a lot of pucks on net again tonight. Pittsburgh has won the 5-on-5 possession battle in each of its first three Games, after all.

Penguins vs Canadiens same-game parlay (SGP)

In addition to Montreal’s basement-dwelling possession numbers at 5-on-5, the Habs are also sporting an abysmal 30.1 expected goals percentage. While Pittsburgh hasn’t been much better (40.1 xGF%), the Pens also haven’t scored yet at 5-on-5, and the goals are coming for the Black and Gold considering they’ve generated the fifth-most xGF per 60 (3.44) at 5-on-5.

Still, I don't anticipate this Game turning into a track meet. As discussed, Montembeault has been hot to start the year, and Pittsburgh starter Tristan Jarry has been off since last Wednesday after allowing a six-spot to the New York Rangers.

Montreal doesn’t have nearly the same offensive skill jumping the board as New York does, so this is a bounce-back spot for Jarry.

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

Penguins vs Canadiens odds

Penguins vs Canadiens live odds

Penguins vs Canadiens opening odds

• Puck line: Pittsburgh -130 | Montreal +110
• Moneyline: Pittsburgh -1.5 (+185) | Montreal +1.5 (-225)
• Over/Under: Over 6 (-120) | Under 6 (+100)

Penguins vs Canadiens moneyline and Over/Under analysis

• There has been minimal movement to this moneyline, with the Penguins trading as a short road favorite.
• I don’t anticipate there being enough betting support for either team to move these Bet99 odds ahead of puck drop, either.
• The total has bounced around at shops between 6.0 and 6.5, with the Over 6.0 and the Under 6.5 both carrying the higher vigs.
• It’s the same story at Bet99. The Under 6.0 is priced at +110, while the Over 6.5 is at -105.

Penguins vs Canadiens trend

Montreal Canadiens goalie Sam Montembeault has stopped 72 of 73 shots with 4.01 goals saved above average across his two starts this season. Find more NHL betting trends for Penguins vs. Canadiens.

Penguins vs Canadiens game info

Penguins vs Canadiens latest injuries

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