The Habs achieved their goal of a split in the first two games of their semifinal playoff series in Las Vegas, and now the series shifts to the Bell Centre on Friday night for Game 3.
The Golden Knights are favoured on the NHL odds with a total of five goals.
Golden Knights vs. Canadiens Stanley Cup Odds
On the puckline for Game 3, Vegas is +165 at -1.5 goals and Montreal is -199 at +1.5. The over five goals is a -140 favourite – the first two games both finished with a total of five goals scored. On the regulation moneyline, Vegas is +112, Montreal +193 and a draw +288. The Knights are -156 to score first and Canadiens +112. That the team which scores first wins is -233 with no +165.
Vegas is -303 on the updated series line with Montreal +225. The Knights remain Stanley Cup favourites (+149) and the Canadiens long shots (+548).
The Habs have won all three regular-season home meetings vs. the Golden Knights. This will be Montreal’s first true home game vs. an American team since March 10, 2020, when it lost to Nashville and then the COVID shutdown hit. Quebec is allowing the Canadiens to increase capacity from 2,500 to 3,500.
Vegas Golden Knights
Vegas got some bad and frankly surprising injury news before Wednesday’s Game 2 when top-line centre Chandler Stephenson was scratched with an undisclosed injury. He had 14 goals and 21 assists with a plus-22 rating during the regular season and six assists with a plus-9 rating in these playoffs. Nicolas Roy largely took his spot on the top line. Stephenson is considered day-to-day. His absence certainly could have contributed to the Knights’ five-game winning streak ending in a 3-2 defeat Wednesday.
Vegas didn’t get on the board until late in the second already down 3-0, with Alex Pietrangelo scoring. He added another goal (three total in playoffs) at 14:46 of the third, but Vegas couldn’t get the equalizer. Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 20 shots but was a bit shaky in the first period in allowing two goals on 12 shots. This will be a homecoming for Fleury, who was born in Sorel-Tracy, Quebec. The Knights are 19-7 in their past 26 as road favourites.
Montreal Canadiens
With Wednesday’s 3-2 victory in Las Vegas, the Canadiens are now 8-0 in these playoffs when scoring at least two goals. While the Knights got bad injury news ahead of Game 2, the Habs got terrific news as defenceman Jeff Petry returned to the lineup after missing the past two games with a hand injury. Petry was trending on Twitter because both eyes were bloodshot. Apparently, he has broken blood vessels under his cornea. Petry finished with an assist and plus-1 rating in 20:47 of ice time. Fellow blueliner Jon Merrill also played for the first time since Game 5 vs. the Leafs.
Joel Armia (fifth of playoffs) and Tyler Toffoli (fifth) had first-period goals and Paul Byron (second) made it 3-0 late in the second. That’s eight straight games with at least a point for Toffoli, the longest streak of any player in this post-season and longest for a Montreal player since Vincent Damphousse also had eight in 1993. Nine is the franchise record. Rookie Cole Caufield had an assist and now has a four-game points streak. Carey Price blocked 29 of 31 shots and was especially under siege in the third period, facing 16 shots. His nine playoff wins are a career high for one post-season. The Canadiens are 4-1 in their past five after allowing two goals or fewer in their previous game.
NHL Playoff Prediction: Who Will Win Golden Knights vs. Canadiens?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 17 Jun 4:44am | VEG | -1.5 +177 | U +5.5 -146 |
| Closing 18 Jun 11:16pm | VEG | -1.5 +159 | O +5 -142 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Golden Knights Team Leaders
| Points |
61 |
| + / - |
28 |
| Shots |
176 |
| Penalty Mins |
39 |
| Wins |
26 |
| GAA |
1.98 |
| Points |
44 |
| + / - |
28 |
| Shots |
158 |
| Penalty Mins |
50 |
| Wins |
12 |
| GAA |
2.64 |
| Points |
16 |
| + / - |
10 |
| Shots |
76 |
| Penalty Mins |
18 |
| Wins |
9 |
| GAA |
2.04 |
| Points |
16 |
| + / - |
4 |
| Shots |
53 |
| Penalty Mins |
28 |
| Wins |
13 |
| GAA |
2.28 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Canadiens Team Leaders
| Points |
61 |
| + / - |
28 |
| Shots |
176 |
| Penalty Mins |
39 |
| Wins |
26 |
| GAA |
1.98 |
| Points |
44 |
| + / - |
28 |
| Shots |
158 |
| Penalty Mins |
50 |
| Wins |
12 |
| GAA |
2.64 |
| Points |
16 |
| + / - |
10 |
| Shots |
76 |
| Penalty Mins |
18 |
| Wins |
9 |
| GAA |
2.04 |
| Points |
16 |
| + / - |
4 |
| Shots |
53 |
| Penalty Mins |
28 |
| Wins |
13 |
| GAA |
2.28 |
Injuries
Alex Tuch (RW)
Chandler Stephenson (C)
Alec Martinez (D)
Peyton Krebs (C)
Alec Martinez (D)
Alex Tuch (RW)
Robin Lehner (G)
Ryan Reaves (RW)
Mattias Janmark (C)
Ryan Reaves (RW)
Jake Evans (C)
Brendan Gallagher (RW)
Joel Armia (RW)
Jeff Petry (D)
Jake Evans (C)
Tomas Tatar (LW)
Jon Merrill (D)
Artturi Lehkonen (LW)
Eric Staal (C)
Jake Evans (C)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alex Tuch (RW) | Prob Thurs | Undisclosed - 24 / 06 / 21 | 0-1 | 0-1 | + - |
|
Tuch is bothered by an undefined issue, but he is expected to suit up for Game 6 of the NHL semifinals versus the Canadiens. |
|||||
| Chandler Stephenson (C) | Ques Tues | Upper Body - 16 / 06 / 21 | 1-4 | 0-2-3 | + - |
|
Stephenson is tending to an upper-body ailment, leaving his status for Game 5 of the NHL semifinals against the Canadiens clouded. |
|||||
| Alec Martinez (D) | Ques Mon | Undisclosed - 13 / 06 / 21 | 2-4 | 1-2-3 | + - |
|
Martinez is dealing with an unspecified issue, and it is unknown if he will dress for Game 1 of the NHL semifinals against the Canadiens. |
|||||
| Peyton Krebs (C) | Out indefinitely | Jaw - 06 / 06 / 21 | 5-4 | 2-4-3 | + - |
|
Krebs is out of the lineup with a fractured jaw, and it remains to be seen when he will be available to return. |
|||||
| Alec Martinez (D) | Ques Fri | Undisclosed - 04 / 06 / 21 | 6-4 | 2-5-3 | + - |
|
Martinez is tending to a undisclosed injury, and it has yet to be determined if he will suit up for Game 3 of the West Division finals against the Avalanche. |
|||||
| Alex Tuch (RW) | Ques Fri | Undisclosed - 04 / 06 / 21 | 6-4 | 2-5-3 | + - |
|
Tuch is hampered by an undisclosed injury, and it has yet to be established if he will be available to face the Avalanche for Game 3 of the West Division finals. |
|||||
| Robin Lehner (G) | Ques Tues | Undisclosed - 02 / 06 / 21 | 6-5 | 3-5-3 | + - |
|
Lehner is dealing with an undisclosed issue, and it is unclear if he will be active for Game 5 of the West Division finals versus the Avalanche. |
|||||
| Ryan Reaves (RW) | Elig Sun | Suspension - 31 / 05 / 21 | 6-5 | 3-5-3 | + - |
|
Reaves is serving a two-game suspension for roughing, and he is eligible to return for Game 4 of the West Division finals versus the Avalanche. |
|||||
| Mattias Janmark (C) | Ques Tues | Upper Body - 31 / 05 / 21 | 6-5 | 3-5-3 | + - |
|
Janmark is battling an upper-body injury, and it has yet to be established if he will suit up against the Avalanche for Game 5 of the West Division finals. |
|||||
| Ryan Reaves (RW) | Out indefinitely | Undisclosed - 27 / 05 / 21 | 7-7 | 5-6-3 | + - |
|
Reaves has been added to the COVID-19 protocol list, and it is unclear when he will be available for return. |
|||||
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jake Evans (C) | Ques Mon | Concussion - 30 / 06 / 21 | 1-3 | 2-1-1 | + - |
|
Evans is battling a concussion, and it is unclear if he will dress for Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals versus the Lightning. |
|||||
| Brendan Gallagher (RW) | Prob Wed | Head - 30 / 06 / 21 | 1-3 | 2-1-1 | + - |
|
Gallagher is expected to face the Lightning for Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals despite a head injury. |
|||||
| Joel Armia (RW) | Ques Wed | Illness - 27 / 06 / 21 | 2-3 | 2-1-2 | + - |
|
Armia has cleared the COVID-19 protocol, and it remains to be seen if he will lace up against the Lightning for Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals. |
|||||
| Jeff Petry (D) | Ques Wed | Hand - 06 / 06 / 21 | 8-5 | 3-5-5 | + - |
|
Petry is bothered by a right hand injury, and it is undetermined if he will be active for Game 2 of the NHL semifinals against the Golden Knights. |
|||||
| Jake Evans (C) | Out indefinitely | Concussion - 02 / 06 / 21 | 10-5 | 4-6-5 | + - |
|
Evans is out of the lineup due to a concussion, and team officials have yet to provide an exact return date. |
|||||
| Tomas Tatar (LW) | Out indefinitely | Undisclosed - 29 / 05 / 21 | 12-5 | 5-7-5 | + - |
|
Tatar is sidelined due to an undefined issue, and team officials have yet to provide an exact return date. |
|||||
| Jon Merrill (D) | Ques Wed | Undisclosed - 29 / 05 / 21 | 12-5 | 5-7-5 | + - |
|
Merrill is managing an unspecified ailment, and it has yet to be established if he will dress for Game 2 of the NHL semifinals against the Golden Knights. |
|||||
| Artturi Lehkonen (LW) | Ques Fri | Head - 24 / 05 / 21 | 13-7 | 6-9-5 | + - |
|
Lehkonen is dealing with a head injury, and it is up in the air if he will face the Jets in Game 2 of the North Division finals. |
|||||
| Eric Staal (C) | Ques Tues | Undisclosed - 24 / 05 / 21 | 13-7 | 6-9-5 | + - |
|
Staal is battling an undefined issue, and it is uncertain if he will take on the Maple Leafs in Game 4 of the North Division semifinals. |
|||||
| Jake Evans (C) | Out Sat | Undisclosed - 20 / 05 / 21 | 15-7 | 7-10-5 | + - |
|
Evans is nursing an unknown ailment, and he will not be available for Game 6 of the North Division semifinals versus the Maple Leafs. |
|||||
-
VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS
3 -
MONTREAL CANADIENS
2
Score
Prediction
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 17 Jun 4:44am VEG -1.5 +177 U +5.5 -146 Closing 18 Jun 11:16pm VEG -1.5 +159 O +5 -142 -
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Golden Knights Team Leaders
Points 61
+ / - 28
Shots 176
Penalty Mins 39
Wins 26
GAA 1.98
Points 44
+ / - 28
Shots 158
Penalty Mins 50
Wins 12
GAA 2.64
Points 16
+ / - 10
Shots 76
Penalty Mins 18
Wins 9
GAA 2.04
Points 16
+ / - 4
Shots 53
Penalty Mins 28
Wins 13
GAA 2.28
-
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Canadiens Team Leaders
Points 61
+ / - 28
Shots 176
Penalty Mins 39
Wins 26
GAA 1.98
Points 44
+ / - 28
Shots 158
Penalty Mins 50
Wins 12
GAA 2.64
Points 16
+ / - 10
Shots 76
Penalty Mins 18
Wins 9
GAA 2.04
Points 16
+ / - 4
Shots 53
Penalty Mins 28
Wins 13
GAA 2.28
-
Injuries
Alex Tuch (RW)
Prob Thurs Undisclosed - 24 / 06 / 21Chandler Stephenson (C)
Ques Tues Upper Body - 16 / 06 / 21Alec Martinez (D)
Ques Mon Undisclosed - 13 / 06 / 21Peyton Krebs (C)
Out indefinitely Jaw - 06 / 06 / 21Alec Martinez (D)
Ques Fri Undisclosed - 04 / 06 / 21Alex Tuch (RW)
Ques Fri Undisclosed - 04 / 06 / 21Robin Lehner (G)
Ques Tues Undisclosed - 02 / 06 / 21Ryan Reaves (RW)
Elig Sun Suspension - 31 / 05 / 21Mattias Janmark (C)
Ques Tues Upper Body - 31 / 05 / 21Ryan Reaves (RW)
Out indefinitely Undisclosed - 27 / 05 / 21Jake Evans (C)
Ques Mon Concussion - 30 / 06 / 21Brendan Gallagher (RW)
Prob Wed Head - 30 / 06 / 21Joel Armia (RW)
Ques Wed Illness - 27 / 06 / 21Jeff Petry (D)
Ques Wed Hand - 06 / 06 / 21Jake Evans (C)
Out indefinitely Concussion - 02 / 06 / 21Tomas Tatar (LW)
Out indefinitely Undisclosed - 29 / 05 / 21Jon Merrill (D)
Ques Wed Undisclosed - 29 / 05 / 21Artturi Lehkonen (LW)
Ques Fri Head - 24 / 05 / 21Eric Staal (C)
Ques Tues Undisclosed - 24 / 05 / 21Jake Evans (C)
Out Sat Undisclosed - 20 / 05 / 21Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Alex Tuch (RW) Prob Thurs Undisclosed - 24 / 06 / 21 0-1 0-1 + - Tuch is bothered by an undefined issue, but he is expected to suit up for Game 6 of the NHL semifinals versus the Canadiens.
Chandler Stephenson (C) Ques Tues Upper Body - 16 / 06 / 21 1-4 0-2-3 + - Stephenson is tending to an upper-body ailment, leaving his status for Game 5 of the NHL semifinals against the Canadiens clouded.
Alec Martinez (D) Ques Mon Undisclosed - 13 / 06 / 21 2-4 1-2-3 + - Martinez is dealing with an unspecified issue, and it is unknown if he will dress for Game 1 of the NHL semifinals against the Canadiens.
Peyton Krebs (C) Out indefinitely Jaw - 06 / 06 / 21 5-4 2-4-3 + - Krebs is out of the lineup with a fractured jaw, and it remains to be seen when he will be available to return.
Alec Martinez (D) Ques Fri Undisclosed - 04 / 06 / 21 6-4 2-5-3 + - Martinez is tending to a undisclosed injury, and it has yet to be determined if he will suit up for Game 3 of the West Division finals against the Avalanche.
Alex Tuch (RW) Ques Fri Undisclosed - 04 / 06 / 21 6-4 2-5-3 + - Tuch is hampered by an undisclosed injury, and it has yet to be established if he will be available to face the Avalanche for Game 3 of the West Division finals.
Robin Lehner (G) Ques Tues Undisclosed - 02 / 06 / 21 6-5 3-5-3 + - Lehner is dealing with an undisclosed issue, and it is unclear if he will be active for Game 5 of the West Division finals versus the Avalanche.
Ryan Reaves (RW) Elig Sun Suspension - 31 / 05 / 21 6-5 3-5-3 + - Reaves is serving a two-game suspension for roughing, and he is eligible to return for Game 4 of the West Division finals versus the Avalanche.
Mattias Janmark (C) Ques Tues Upper Body - 31 / 05 / 21 6-5 3-5-3 + - Janmark is battling an upper-body injury, and it has yet to be established if he will suit up against the Avalanche for Game 5 of the West Division finals.
Ryan Reaves (RW) Out indefinitely Undisclosed - 27 / 05 / 21 7-7 5-6-3 + - Reaves has been added to the COVID-19 protocol list, and it is unclear when he will be available for return.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Jake Evans (C) Ques Mon Concussion - 30 / 06 / 21 1-3 2-1-1 + - Evans is battling a concussion, and it is unclear if he will dress for Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals versus the Lightning.
Brendan Gallagher (RW) Prob Wed Head - 30 / 06 / 21 1-3 2-1-1 + - Gallagher is expected to face the Lightning for Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals despite a head injury.
Joel Armia (RW) Ques Wed Illness - 27 / 06 / 21 2-3 2-1-2 + - Armia has cleared the COVID-19 protocol, and it remains to be seen if he will lace up against the Lightning for Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals.
Jeff Petry (D) Ques Wed Hand - 06 / 06 / 21 8-5 3-5-5 + - Petry is bothered by a right hand injury, and it is undetermined if he will be active for Game 2 of the NHL semifinals against the Golden Knights.
Jake Evans (C) Out indefinitely Concussion - 02 / 06 / 21 10-5 4-6-5 + - Evans is out of the lineup due to a concussion, and team officials have yet to provide an exact return date.
Tomas Tatar (LW) Out indefinitely Undisclosed - 29 / 05 / 21 12-5 5-7-5 + - Tatar is sidelined due to an undefined issue, and team officials have yet to provide an exact return date.
Jon Merrill (D) Ques Wed Undisclosed - 29 / 05 / 21 12-5 5-7-5 + - Merrill is managing an unspecified ailment, and it has yet to be established if he will dress for Game 2 of the NHL semifinals against the Golden Knights.
Artturi Lehkonen (LW) Ques Fri Head - 24 / 05 / 21 13-7 6-9-5 + - Lehkonen is dealing with a head injury, and it is up in the air if he will face the Jets in Game 2 of the North Division finals.
Eric Staal (C) Ques Tues Undisclosed - 24 / 05 / 21 13-7 6-9-5 + - Staal is battling an undefined issue, and it is uncertain if he will take on the Maple Leafs in Game 4 of the North Division semifinals.
Jake Evans (C) Out Sat Undisclosed - 20 / 05 / 21 15-7 7-10-5 + - Evans is nursing an unknown ailment, and he will not be available for Game 6 of the North Division semifinals versus the Maple Leafs.