Pittsburgh Penguins (1-2-0) vs. Montreal Canadiens (2-1-0)
The NHL season is fully underway as the Pittsburgh Penguins meet the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre. The Penguins have been struggling a bit with their 1-2-0 record, while the Canadiens have started a little better this campaign at 2-1-0. This has meant that both teams have had a mixed bag of performances early on in the season, and this game helps to change all that, momentum-wise. This matchup is, therefore, expected to attract fans and gamblers alike, especially for the latest NHL picks.
Though they had a poor start to the season, the Pittsburgh Penguins definitely are with some of the most veteran players in the league who have not been new to the call of action. For instance, Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby are yet to find the back of the net or assist in goals, only implying their importance in the team’s attacking formation. Defense poses a problem for the former champions and it is a weakness in their game that the Canadiens, who have shown to be quite productive in the attacking third, will try to take advantage of.
Conversely, the Montreal Canadiens have been performing well offensively in the early parts of the season, particularly the right wing of Cole Caufield, who has already bagged four goals. With some help from Lane Hutson and Juraj Slafkovsky’s playmaking abilities, the Canadiens will seek to exploit the weak defense of the Penguins. The attacking play by the forwards in Montreal and the shooting potential from the likes of Caufield are factors in their success against the Pittsburgh make up.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Montreal Canadiens Game Info
| When: | Monday, October 14, 2024 at 7:30 PM ET |
| Where: | Bell Centre |
| TV: | AMZN |
| Stream: | NHL.TV |
Goaltender Joel Blomqvist vs. Goaltender Sam Montembeault
Pittsburgh Penguins netminder Joel Blomqvist’s performances have not gone too well, with goals against averaging 3.04 after the first two fixtures. His impact will be vital as he goes against the scoring-capable Canadiens team. Blomqvist has to boost his save percentage; otherwise, Pittsburgh runs the risk of having a close game without a winning chance against a very aggressive Montreal offense.
In contrast, Canadiens’ goalie Sam Montembeault has been nothing but stellar too, with a remarkable 0.986 save percentage and only 0.5 goals against average. With his big body in goal, it will be a serious obstacle to the offense of the Penguins, largely when effective defense of the Canadiens will reduce the number of goalscoring opportunities. Montembeault’s steadiness might be the key for Montreal that maintain the necessary pace and style of the match.
NHL Odds/Point Spread: Pittsburgh Penguins -172, Total Odds: 6.5
The betting odds reflect a cautious optimism toward the Penguins despite their rocky start, with a moneyline of -172 suggesting they are still favorites. The total over 6.5 goals at +112 indicates expectations of a high-scoring affair, likely given both teams’ offensive capabilities and recent defensive vulnerabilities.
Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Trends
The Penguins have struggled, especially on the road, with a 4-12 SU record in their last 16 games away from home. Betting trends show a tendency for high-scoring games involving Pittsburgh, particularly against teams like Montreal, which could influence bettors expecting an offensive showdown.
Montreal Canadiens Betting Trends
Despite a better start than the Penguins, the Canadiens have their struggles, especially highlighted by their 3-8 SU record in their last 11 games. However, their performance at home and the scoring pattern in games against Pittsburgh point towards a potential advantage when playing in familiar territory.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Montreal Canadiens 10/14/24 Betting Picks
By examining the statistics of both teams at the start of the season and the betting patterns, we can say that the Montreal Canadiens has more chances to win this match, particularly because of their solid goaltending and very good offense. Even though the Pittsburgh Penguins are traditionally powerful in this regard, their biggest weakness is the defense, which may matter in this duel. Considering the current tendencies and respective strengths of both teams scoring, the total points over also appears to be a safe bet.
Regarding the best online betting, it can be said that a bet on the Canadiens winning on home turf would be the most reasonable step. Besides, wagering on Cole Caufield to score should provide profitable returns, considering his current form.
