Edmonton Oilers vs. Montreal Canadiens Prediction, NHL Odds
The Edmonton Oilers’ five game road trip kicks off in Montreal on Monday for the first of a three-game set with the Canadiens. With only five points separating the first and last playoff spot in the crowded North Division, the outcome of this series will have a direct impact on all the Canadian teams, not just Edmonton and Montreal.
The NHL odds moneyline for this game has these teams at an equal -110, while Edmonton’s +1.5 puckline is at -233. The total for the game is 6.0.
Oilers vs. Canadiens Betting Analysis
Montreal has had the better of Edmonton this season, sweeping a two-game set back in January, but the Oilers shut out the Habs 3-0 in Montreal on Feb. 11. All three games between these teams have gone Under. One interesting sidenote, the Oilers are the only team in the league without an OT or shootout loss this season, while the Canadiens have the most OT/shootout losses in the league.
Edmonton has struggled to cover this year. The Oilers are 16-18 against the spread, but have been a little better at covering on the road, doing so in half of their 14 road games. With the league’s two leading scorers in Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, you would think the Oilers would hit the Over more often, especially with their weaker defence. Edmonton has hit the Over in six of their 14 road games and only one of their last five games against Montreal.
Montreal’s up-and-down season hasn’t helped them cover the spread. The Habs are 14-17 ATS and have only covered in five of 13 games at the Bell Centre. Trying to climb back into the North Division standings, Montreal is just 5-11 straight up in their last 16 games. The Habs have hit the Over in four of their last six home games.
Edmonton Oilers
Heading into Monday, the Oilers have won three straight games and bumped themselves into a tie with Toronto at the top of the North Division standings. You can’t mention this team without mentioning the duo of McDavid and Draisaitl. No. 1 and No. 2 in league scoring respectively, McDavid has 60 points (21G, 39A) in 34 games, while Draisaitl is at 50 points (18Gm 32A). McDavid’s scoring pace would put him at 145-point pace in a regular 82 game schedule, the highest scoring rate since the 1995-96 season. Edmonton’s two superstars are the main reason the Oiler’s are second only to the Islanders in high-danger chances this year. They lead the league with 77 even-strength goals, but they also allow the sixth-most even-strength goals and fifth-most high-danger chances. If Edmonton can lock down their defence, they have a great chance to leapfrog the Leafs in the standings.
Montreal Canadiens
Montreal is only five points back of first place in the division, yet they’re only 1-9 in OT this season. That’s eight points they’ve not only left on the table, but given to teams ahead of them and teams chasing them. This is an inconsistent team, but a team that has potential to go on a big run. The Habs rank second in the NHL in expected goals, second in scoring chances and fourth in high-danger scoring chances. A big reason for those offensive numbers is Tyler Toffoli. Montreal’s leading scorer has 27 points (18G, 9A) in 30 games, but is listed as day-to-day after leaving Saturday’s game against Vancouver early.
Carey Price looks like he’s finally finding his groove after a rough start. Price is 10-5-5 on the year with only one regulation loss in his last eight games and he boasts a 2.74 goals-against average and .903 save percentage. Backup Jake Allen, however, has been the more consistent goalie. Allen is 4-3-4 with a 2.34 GAA and .920 SV.
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