Montreal Canadiens vs. Florida Panthers Prediction, NHL Odds

Liam Gilks | Updated Dec 28, 2024

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The tight-knit Atlantic Division has a matinee on Saturday as the top-seeded Florida Panthers host the sneaky Montreal Canadiens. 

Montreal
33-27-6-2
AT
December 28, 2024, 1:00 PM ET
BB&T Center
Florida
42-25-3
Puckline +1.5 +105
Moneyline +275
Over / Under o +6
Matchup Odds
Puckline -1.5 -125
Moneyline -350
Over / Under u +6
Matchup Odds

After having a four-game winning streak snapped before the holiday break, Florida will be looking to get back in the win column to take the lead in the Division. Montreal was also hot before the break, winning three in a row before losing their final game before the holidays. 

The NHL odds have Florida as a heavy -350 favourite to win at home, with the total set at 6.5 goals. This matinee matchup from BB&T Centre will have a puck drop at 1:00 PM ET. 

Canadiens vs. Panthers NHL Betting Odds

This will be the first meeting of the season between the Habs and Cats, a matchup that Florida has been dominating since 2020, winning 12 of their 15 meetings since that year. Montreal won the season series finale back on April 5-3 to avoid the sweep for the second straight season. 

Montreal’s 18-13-3 record on the OVER/UNDER means they have played the OVER second most in the division, behind their opponents on Saturday. They have not played the UNDER in any of their past six games, going 4-0-2. Playing on the road has been crippling the Habs this season, winning just four of their 15 games. 

As mentioned, nobody in the Atlantic plays the OVER more than the Florida Panthers at 20-15-1 thus far. They have been able to outscore most of their problems to this point, with the offence clicking at 3.44 goals per game. They need more from the defence and goaltending if they want to stay atop the division, allowing 3.11 per game, and sitting in the bottom half of the league. 

Montreal Canadiens

Montreal’s return to action will consist of a five-game road trip, going from coast to coast, kicking things off in Florida on Saturday afternoon. 

The Habs had a season-high three-game win streak snapped before Christmas when they lost 5-4 in the final minutes to the Columbus Blue Jackets. After falling behind 2-0 after 20 minutes they battled back, scoring three in the second tying it 3-3. Their early lead in the third was erased just a few minutes later and the Jackets added another with just over two minutes left, taking the win. 

After calling out his former team before the game, Patrick Laine was a marked man versus the Jackets. He took a few heavy hits in the game and was forced to leave the game with an undisclosed injury. There has yet to be an update on the forward’s health for Saturday’s game. 

Florida Panthers

After beating their interstate rivals 4-2 on the road in Tampa Bay, the Lightning travelled to Sunrise and beat the Panthers 4-0. Florida has been shut out three times in their past seven games which is surprising for the fifth-highest-scoring team in the league. 

They gave up three goals in the first period and were never able to battle back despite firing 36 shots on goal. Sergei Bobrovsky took the loss in the contest stopping 25 of 28 shots. He’s had a tough start to the season rocking a .895 save percentage but is still getting the job done with a 16-7-1 record. 

Matthew Tkachuk went knee-on-knee limiting him to only 11 minutes on ice. After throwing the knee, Nikita Kucherov was ejected from the game. Tkachuk is back to full health after the holiday break and is expected to suit up on Saturday. 

NHL Prediction: Who Will Win Canadiens vs. Panthers?

NHL Predictions
SportsInteraction
  • MON
  • +275 -350
  • FLA
Matchup NHL Odds