Boston Bruins vs. Montreal Canadiens Prediction, NHL Odds
The Canadiens are priced as -165 favourites on the NHL odds and a total of 6.5 goals.
Bruins vs. Canadiens NHL Betting Odds
Even though Boston-Montreal is an intriguing Original Six matchup Saturday, it is not part of the Hockey Night in Canada doubleheader – which is Toronto at Chicago and Winnipeg at Calgary – but will be the only game shown on national TV in the USA on the NHL Network.
First meeting of the season between these clubs. Boston is usually an Eastern Conference contender but slipped to last in the Atlantic Division last season, ending a string of eight straight years in the playoffs. The Bruins used a couple of coaches in 2024-25 but started fresh this season with German Marco Sturm. He had a solid NHL career from 1997-2012, including a brief stint with Vancouver. The 47-year-old, who also played for the Bruins from 2005-10, is a head coach for the first time in the NHL.
Long story short: The Bruins might return to the playoffs this season but they aren’t legitimate threats in the East and +8000 longshot to win it. Boston has won five straight season series with Montreal, including 2-1 last year but lost 4-1 at Bell Centre. B’s superstar David Pastrnak had two goals and two helpers in the series. Jeremy Swayman was in net for each and finished with a 3.35 goals-against average and .880 save per centage.
Four different players led the Canadiens with four points in the series, including Cole Caufield (4G) and Nick Suzuki (4A). Cayden Primeau lost both his starts in net, and Sam Montembeault allowed that one goal in his win.
Boston is 8-2 in the past 10 meetings overall and the over-under is 5-4-1.
Boston Bruins
Boston had been one of the hottest teams in the NHL before losing 5-3 at Ottawa on Thursday, but we might have to throw that out as backup goalie Joonas Korpisalo started and he has simply not been very good this season. Definitely should be back to No. 1 Jeremy Swayman tonight, and he’s 3-3-0 with a 3.79 GAA on the road. Swayman’s home splits are significantly better. Centre Casey Mittlestadt (4G, 5A) remains out. Star David Pastrnak had a goal in Thursday’s loss and moved into a tie with Rick Middleton (402) for fifth-most on the Bruins’ all-time goals list. It was also Pastrnak’s 127th career power-play goal, two shy of team record held by Hall of Famer Cam Neely. Should be a homecoming of sorts tonight for B’s blueliner Jonathan Aspirot as the as Mascouche native appears set to sub back into the lineup. The Bruins are 5-13 in their past 18 road games.
Montreal Canadiens
Montreal lost for the fourth time in five games on Thursday and was frankly embarrassed in a 7-0 blowout on home ice vs. Dallas – so I sure expect a fired-up team tonight. It was only the second time in Stars history they won a road game by at least seven. Dallas scored seven goals in a shutout win on the road for the first time in team history. Since Jakub Dobes started that one (and had been great overall entering) in net for the Habs, it should be Sam Montembeault here even after relieving Dobes on Thursday and allowing two goals on six shots. The goaltending has gone south of late, and that’s why Montreal is not winning. But this feels like a very motivated spot. Those aren’t always easy to find in the grind of an NHL season. Montreal is 12-3 in its past 15 vs. Atlantic Division foes.
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