Montreal Canadiens vs. Anaheim Ducks Prediction, NHL Odds
The Canadiens opened their current five-game road trip with a 5-2 loss in Boston on Saturday, which marked their fourth defeat in their past five games away from Bell centre. The Ducks have not fared much better, scoring just four total goals while losing three straight, capped by Sunday’s 3-1 loss to St. Louis.
The Ducks have emerged as slim -125 home favourites, and are listed as a +185 puckline bet. The Canadiens trail as +105 underdogs on the Wednesday NHL odds, and -115 odds favour the total going OVER 6.5.
Canadiens vs. Ducks NHL Betting Odds
Things have quickly come undone for the Canadiens since they opened the season on a 5-2-1 run, earning wins in just two of 10 games since. The Habs have particularly struggled during their current four-game slide, allowing 4.50 goals per game, and have managed to score more than three goals just once over their past 10 outings. Things have not gone much better in recent dates with the Ducks, who have defeated Montreal in five of six overall meetings, and won seven straight head-to-head clashes on home ice while surrendering just 12 total goals. However, Anaheim has endured plenty of struggles of their own while losing five of their past seven. That run includes losses in four of their past five home dates while mustering just 1.80 goals per game.
Montreal Canadiens
The Canadiens endured yet another slow start in Saturday’s visit to Boston, spotting the Bruins a 2-0 lead in the first 20 minutes that they could not recover from. Overall, the Habs have been held off the scoresheet in the first period in six of their past 10 games. Indeed, the Habs offence has consistently produced too little, too late, with 15 of the 26 goals they have scored over the past 10 games coming after 40 minutes, and have managed to claim a lead in regulation time in just two of their past 10 contests. Nick Suzuki has managed to maintain steady production, tallying three assists over his past two games, and has now picked up 13 points in his past 12 games. Juraj Slafkovsky turned in the first multi-point performance of his career in Saturday’s game, and has recorded three points in three games. However, he remains a solid +100 bet on the NHL player props to tally UNDER 1.5 shots on Wednesday.
Anaheim Ducks
Deadlocked with Montreal and Buffalo in team scoring with just 2.83 goals per game, good for 23rd overall in the NHL, the Ducks offensive woes have deepened during their current three-game slide. Not surprisingly, the Ducks have consistently found themselves in catch-up mode, with just one first-period goal scored in their past four games, and 10 of their past 13 total goals getting scored about 40 minutes. But unlike the Habs, who have been badly outclassed during their current slide, the Ducks have had their chances while averaging 33 shots over their past two outings. Mason McTavish potted the Ducks’ lone goal in Sunday’s loss to the Blues, and has now picked up at least a point in seven of 10 home appearances this season. Wednesday’s expected netminder John Gibson has also done his part to give his team a chance to win, racking up a .939 save percentage and allowing just 12 goals while going 3-3-1 over his past seven outings.
