NHL betting preview (Dec. 12): Penguins vs. Canadiens odds

NHL betting preview (Dec. 12): Penguins vs. Canadiens odds

Penguins vs. Canadiens Betting Preview

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ThePittsburgh ⁢Penguins ‍host the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday⁤ in the NHL, marking‍ thier final confrontation ‌of the season. Pittsburgh​ holds a 2-0 advantage in ⁤their previous matchups.

Analyzing the Odds

Sports Interaction has set ⁤the ⁤Penguins⁣ as the favorites with a moneyline of -140, while the Canadiens ​are listed at +120. The puck⁢ line favors Pittsburgh -1.5 ​(-210),while montreal sits at +1.5 (+170). The game total is​ set⁢ at 6, with the over priced at -120 and the under at ‌+100.

Penguins Looking for consistency

despite winning five⁣ of their last seven games,the Pittsburgh Penguins have displayed ‍inconsistency. While putting up more goals, their ⁣underlying defensive metrics remain concerning. They⁣ rank ‌among the league’s ‍worst teams‍ in five-on-five goals⁣ against and shots against per 60 minutes. In the past month, Pittsburgh ⁣has ‌been especially bad‌ in shot differential, ranking 32nd in the league, and 18th in expected goal share. Goaltender Tristan ​Jarry has struggled ⁣since returning from the AHL. He ranks as the third-worst goalie ​in goals saved ‍above expected (minimum 300 unblocked shot attempts faced) ‌and is in the bottom 10 in⁣ save⁤ percentage.

offensive Woes for Superstar Duo

While Sidney Crosby remains ‌productive, he has only scored one goal in his last 10 games and two ​in his past 16.Evgeni Malkin has also struggled to ⁣find the back of the net consistently. Crosby, who boasts​ impressive career numbers⁢ against the Canadiens with 25 goals and 41 ​assists in⁤ 51 games,⁣ has been held pointless in three of his last four games against them. Players like Rickard Rakell and Jeff Carter will need to step ‍up offensively to support Crosby and Malkin. ## Montreal ⁤Canadiens ⁣Look to Extend ‍Winning Streak Against Pittsburgh Penguins The Montreal Canadiens enter ​Thursday’s matchup against the Pittsburgh Penguins riding a ‌wave of momentum, having won seven of their last 13 games and improving their home record to a respectable ⁤8-6-2. ⁤ The⁤ Penguins, meanwhile, have struggled this season, ‌ showing flashes of brilliance but ⁢failing ‍to find​ consistency. While ⁤Pittsburgh boasts a five-game winning streak against Montreal, including⁣ two victories this season, the Canadiens are playing their best hockey of the year. ‍Montreal has found success thanks in large part⁢ to the stellar​ play of goaltender ⁢Samuel Montembeault. ​Over his last nine home games,⁢ Montembeault has been a brick wall, posting a 5.2.2 record with a.929 save percentage and a 2.15‍ goals-against‌ average. ⁤The Canadiens have confirmed he will start on Thursday, likely relegating⁣ Cayden Primeau‌ to backup duty until the​ team’s​ back-to-back games⁣ against the Detroit ⁢Red Wings later⁤ this month. Offensively, Montreal has‍ been led by the​ dynamic duo of Nick Suzuki ⁢and Cole Caufield. Suzuki leads the ‍team ⁣with ​16 ‍points in‍ the ⁤last ⁢13 games, while Caufield has ‍contributed seven goals and seven assists during that same ‌stretch. Rookie Lane Hutson has also⁤ emerged as a‍ crucial offensive contributor, recording points in seven consecutive games and climbing ⁢to ⁣second among all rookie skaters in scoring with 19 ⁢points. Moreover, Patrik Laine’s return from injury has provided a much-needed boost,⁤ tallying three power-play goals and four ⁤points in⁤ just ⁤four ‌games. Despite the ​recent success, ‌the Canadiens still face challenges ⁤with inconsistent production from ⁣some of their⁢ top forwards.Juraj ‍Slafkovsky and ⁤ Michael Bunting have yet to find their stride. And while ‍Bryan‍ Rust and ⁤ Bryan Rust have been ⁣responsible for a significant ⁤portion of ‌the Penguins’ goals, the​ team relies heavily on them, perhaps to their detriment. handicapping the Game Montreal has shown significant improvement and ⁣is playing with newfound confidence at home. Pittsburgh, while boasting a⁢ good record‌ against ⁢the Canadiens, has struggled with consistency this season. Based on recent form, the ​Canadiens are poised to continue their winning ways. Watch Thursday’s episode of The Puck Portfolio to get‌ daily NHL picks and betting advice from⁢ Andy MacNeil and Nick Martin!

Canadiens Offense Struggling as ⁣Penguins⁤ and⁣ Habs Face Off

The Montreal‌ Canadiens are‌ facing offensive challenges as they prepare to take on ⁢the Pittsburgh Penguins. Key forwards Juraj Slafkovsky, ⁤Kirby‌ Dach, and ‌Alex Newhook have all struggled to produce points consistently. While Slafkovsky and Dach have ⁣notched a few assists, their goal production has ⁤been lacking. Newhook, simultaneously ​occurring, has only ​managed to find the back of ⁢the net, without‍ any assists, throughout the season. This lack of offensive⁤ firepower has hampered the ⁣Canadiens, who have ‌only scored four or more ‍goals⁤ in a handful of games.

Best Bets for Penguins ‍vs. ​Canadiens

Despite ‍the Canadiens’⁢ struggles,⁣ Tuesday’s matchup presents some interesting betting opportunities.​
  • Patrick Laine Over 2.5 Shots On Goal ⁣(-120) at Sports Interaction
Patrick Laine is a strong‍ candidate to exceed ⁤2.5 shots on goal. ⁣He narrowly missed this mark in his last game against the Ducks,⁣ but ultimately ⁢scored early, signifying his offensive threat. Laine has yet​ to score⁣ an even-strength goal this season,but the Penguins offer a⁢ prime prospect. They have been the most generous⁣ team in the league ⁤when it comes to allowing even-strength goals and this trend has ‍continued ⁤throughout the last month.Laine has been‍ aggressive, attempting ⁤at least five shots in‌ each of his last three games, and his ice time has steadily increased.Given that the Penguins give up​ the most shots per​ 60 ‍minutes, Laine ‌should find ⁣ample opportunities.
  • Kris​ Letang Over ​2.5 Shots On Goal (+135) at Sports Interaction
Another intriguing bet ⁣is Kris Letang ⁢to register over 2.5⁢ shots on goal. ⁢Letang has accomplished this in nearly half of his games this season, making the odds offered seem⁢ generous considering the Montreal Canadiens’ defensive ​weaknesses. The Canadiens are ranked third-worst‌ in the league for‍ shots allowed per​ 60 minutes, ⁢and only six teams have given​ up more shots on goal overall. letang‍ has been firing pucks at the net consistently, registering 21 shots ‌on goal ‌in ⁢his last five games. This prop bet has hit in 13‌ of his last 21 games, suggesting the sportsbooks may be underestimating his chances⁣ against a vulnerable Canadiens ‍defence. Follow Andy’s hockey bets on the Action app!
## Penguins vs. Canadiens Q&A



**Q: What is your assessment of the Penguins’ offensive ‍performance lately?**



**A:**



While the Penguins have won five ‍of their last seven ‌games, their offense hasn’t been particularly ⁢extraordinary. Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, the team’s ⁤superstars, have struggled to find the back of the net consistently.‍



Players like Rickard Rakell and Jeff Carter will need to step ⁢up ⁣to provide additional support.



**Q: How has montreal’s performance been lately?**



**A:**



The canadiens have been playing much better lately,especially at home. They’ve won‍ seven of their last ‌thirteen ‌games and are showing signs of being ⁤a competitive team.



**Q: ⁢Who ‍are some​ key players to watch in this matchup?**



**A:**



**For Pittsburgh:**



* **sidney Crosby:** Despite his recent struggles, Crosby has a strong track record against the Canadiens.

* **Evgeni⁢ Malkin:** Malkin needs to find his scoring touch for the Penguins to be triumphant.



**For Montreal:**



* **Nick Suzuki:**⁤ Suzuki leads the Canadiens in points and ⁣is a key ​driver of their‍ offense.

* **Cole Caufield:** caufield is⁣ a talented goal scorer who can be a game-changer.

* **Samuel Montembeault:** The Canadiens’ goaltender has ‍been phenomenal at home and will be crucial to their success.



**Q: What are ​your overall‌ thoughts on this matchup?**



**A:** This game is a⁣ interesting matchup ​between a Pittsburgh team struggling for consistency and a Montreal team that is‍ playing with confidence at home.



Despite the Penguins’ historical dominance over‍ the Canadiens, ⁣Montreal’s recent form makes this a more competitive game than many might ⁢expect.

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