Montreal Canadiens vs. Vegas Golden Knights Prediction, NHL Odds
The Knights have not looked all too golden over their past few games, losing each of their past three games and winning just three of their past 11.
The NHL Odds have the Knights as the favourite to win at -185 on Friday evening, with the total sitting at an even six goals. Keep note of the odd 4:00 PM EST puck drop from T-Mobile Arena.
Canadiens vs. Golden Knights NHL Betting Odds
This is the first meeting of their season series, not crossing paths again until January. Vegas has been feeding on the Canadiens over the past four seasons, retribution for their 2021 playoff loss in the third round. The Knights beat them seven times in a row before the Habs snapped that streak when they took them down in their last meeting. Only two of those eight meetings played the UNDER, Vegas outscoring Montreal 36-24.
The Canadiens might be the most exciting team to watch when they are buzzing. They are in a ton of high-scoring games, playing the OVER in eight of their past 10 games. Only two teams have hit the OVER more than Montreal, sitting at 16-4-2. Their offensive pace is impressive this season, potting 3.45 goals per game (third in the NHL), including three or more in each of their past four games.
Coming into the year as a favourite for the cup has made the Golden Knights an easy favourite in most of their games this season. That has hindered their ability to cover the spread, being in so many tight contests at the quarter mark of the season. They are tied for the fewest covers in the league this season at just seven, through 23 contests. Our NHL Futures Board still has Vegas tied as the second favourite for the Stanley Cup at +750.
Montreal Canadiens
Montreal did not take the easiest route to victory on Wednesday night in Utah, in their 4-3 win over the Mammoth. After goals from Zack Bolduc (5th) and Nick Suzuki (6th) in the first period, they took a 2-0 lead into the second. The middle frame has been trouble for the Habs all year and it was no different in this one, giving up three in the second. They are no stranger to a good comeback all the same and did that again versus the Mammoth. After a game tying goal was called back, Captain Suzuki (7th) answered right back with his second of the night to tie it. Rookie Ivan Demidov threw in a snapper from the top of the circle for his fifth of the year, which would stand as the game winner.
Demidov leads all rookies in scoring this year with 18 points (5G, 13A) but still trails Matthew Schaefer as the favourite for the Calder Trophy. The young russian is paying +210 after 23 games.
Suzuki carried the load offensively with three points in this one, getting his career total to 401 points, all with the Canadiens. He made a mark in Habs history, becoming the fifth fastest player to record 400 points (477 games) with the Canadiens.
Vegas Golden Knights
Despite three straight losses the Knights still sit in second place in the Pacific division. Picking up points in overtime has been their saving grace to this point, losing eight times in extra hockey. They came back on Wednesday versus Ottawa to push the game to a shootout, in which they came out with a loss.
The Sens got on the board less than a minute into the game and took a 3-1 lead into the second period. Jack Eichel’s 11th of the year cut the lead to just one headed to the third and Mark Stone’s powerplay marker tied things up to send it to overtime. Vegas went 0-3 in the shootout, taking the loss on home ice, moving them to 10-5-8.
This was Stone’s first game back after missing the past month and the Golden Knights offence looks completely different when he’s in the lineup. They won just six games in the 16 they played in his absence. The veteran winger is no stanger to injuries and will be competing to crack the Canadian Olympic roster for the first time.
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