Edmonton Oilers vs. Montreal Canadiens Prediction, NHL Odds
It’s been a tough start to the year for the Montreal Canadiens, but they showed up with their most impressive win of the season on Saturday, downing Columbus 5-1 at home. It was close but no cigar for the Oilers on Saturday as they saw a three-game win streak snapped with a 4-3 overtime loss in Toronto.
Edmonton is a sizeable -275 favourite to win on the NHL odds, with the total set at 6.5.
Oilers vs. Canadiens NHL Betting Odds
The Oilers swept the season series last year, but both games needed overtime to solve. Overall, Edmonton is 7-3 straight up in their last 10 against Montreal, with the Over hitting seven times in that stretch.
Both teams have been a disappointment for bettors this season, with the Oilers going 5-13 against the spread, while the Habs are 8-10 ATS.
Montreal and Edmonton have trended in opposite directions when it comes to the total. The Canadiens have hit the Over in 10 of 18 games, but with all the offensive firepower the Oilers have at their disposal, they have played the Under in 11 of 17 dates. Keep in mind, the Over has hit in four of Edmonton’s last five trips to the Bell Centre.
Edmonton Oilers
Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Adam Henrique scored for the Oilers on Saturday, but it wasn’t enough in the overtime loss. McDavid has 11 points on a four-fame point streak. Outside of the overtime goal, the biggest event of the game was when Toronto’s Ryan Reaves absolutely levelled Oilers defenceman Darnell Nurse, who was leaking blood and left the game without returning. Nurse’s status for Monday is unknown, but it would be a surprise to see him play.
This is the first of a back-to-back for Edmonton, so one of Stuart Skinner or Calvin Pickard will start on Monday and the other will go on Tuesday in Ottawa. Skinner, who allowed four goals on 22 against Toronto, has had a rocky start to the season, posting a 5-5-2 record with a 3.28 goals-against average and .877 save percentage. He’s allowed at least three goals in three straight games. Pickard, who has won four of his last five starts, is 4-2-0 with a 2.49 GAA and .890 SV.
Montreal Canadiens
The third period made the difference for Montreal on Saturday. The Habs led 2-1 heading into the final frame before a three-goal outburst sealed the win. Nick Suzuki, Josh Anderson, Mike Matheson, Jake Evans and Lucas Condotta all found the back of the net, while Cole Caufield and Joel Armia each had two assists. Caufield, who is tied for third in the NHL with 12 goals, has turned heads early in the season and his name has come up in the conversation for a spot on the U.S. team in the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off.
Success on special teams has been key for Montreal this year as the Canadiens have scored at least one power play goal in each of their six wins. Who exactly will be in net as the Habs try to earn a seventh win is unknown. Samuel Montembeault has been sharp, allowing just three goals on 57 shots in his last three appearances, but he has a below average 5-8-1 record with a 3.09 GAA and .898 SV.The trouble is, Cayden Primeau has been even worse at 1-2-1 with a 4.67 GAA and .845 SV. I’d lean toward starting Montembeault against a team as dangerous as Edmonton.
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