Back in September, Montreal traded Pacioretty, an All-Star forward who was named captain of the Canadiens in 2015, to Vegas for Tomas Tatar, prospect Nick Suzuki and a 2019 second-round pick. Pacioretty was entering the final year of his contract, but the Knights quickly extended him on a four-year, $28 million (US) deal.

Golden Knights vs Canadiens Betting Analysis

Pacioretty had played his entire career with Montreal, debuting in 2008. His best year was likely 2016-17 when he had 35 goals, 32 assists and a plus/minus of +15. Tatar has been the better player thus far in 2018, although Pacioretty has been battling injury and missed a few games.

The Golden Knights will be looking for their first-ever win in Montreal as the club lost there 3-2 last year (almost a year to the day Saturday) as an expansion team. Pacioretty had what would prove to be the game-winning goal in the second period for a 3-1 lead. Charlie Lindgren was in net for Montreal.

The Canadiens did lose their lone trip to Vegas in February, 6-3. Antti Niemi started in the Montreal net and gave up three goals on six shots before being replaced by Carey Price.

Montreal has won just four of its past 21 Saturday games.

Vegas Golden Knights

Vegas ranks 29^th in the NHL in scoring but had a season-high five goals in a two-goal victory in Ottawa on Thursday.  The Knights didn’t make it easy, though, as they jumped out to a three-goal lead before Ottawa tied it at 8:01 of the third. Vegas’ William Carrier scored the game-winner at 9:16 of the period and Pierre-Edouard Bellemare added the clincher at 12:00. He added an assist and was the No. 1 star.

Marc-Andre Fleury improved to 7-6-1 with a 2.51 GAA and .901 SV. The Knights were 2-for-2 on the power play. That’s another area where they are struggling (15.1 per cent). Centre Eric Haula was carted off in Tuesday’s loss in Toronto and won’t play on the rest of this road trip at a minimum. Vegas is 2-6 in its past eight after a win.

Montreal Canadiens

The Canadiens are on their first two-game losing streak of the season following a 6-5 overtime home loss to Buffalo on Thursday. Price’s struggles continued as he allowed all six goals on 31 shots. He has lost his past three and is 5-4-3 with a 3.07 GAA and .892 SV. He was beaten by Rasmus Ristolainen at 1:38 of OT. The first period was wild, ending at 3-3. Montreal’s goals in the game were from Jonathan Drouin (fifth of season), Matthew Peca (first), Andrew Shaw (second), Tatar (sixth) and Nicolas Deslauriers (first – and shorthanded). Max Domi had three assists and leads the club with 19 points.

The Habs are without two wingers in Paul Byron (week-to-week) and Joel Armia (out 6-8 weeks). Armia was hurt Tuesday. The under is 6-0 in Montreal’s past five after scoring at least five goals the previous game.

Golden Knights vs. Canadiens Prediction