Nashville Predators vs. Montreal Canadiens Prediction, NHL Odds
The Canadiens return home after eking out a 3-2 win in Buffalo on Saturday night that gives them sole possession of sixth place in the Atlantic Division standings, and just four points shy of the second wild card in the East. The Predators wrap up a two-game swing north of the border after dropping a 4-0 decision in Toronto on Saturday night, snapping a three-game win streak.
Saturday night’s loss to the Leafs has not set the Predators back on the Sunday NHL odds, where they are perched as -160 moneyline favourites and a +150 puckline wager. Losers in seven of eight at home, the Canadiens are set to hit the ice as +135 underdogs, while -120 odds favour the total going OVER 6.0.
Predators vs. Canadiens NHL Betting Odds
The Predators have overcome a shaky start to the season, posting wins in nine of their past 12 contests, with four of those victories coming by multi-goal margins. But when the Preds lose, they tend to lose big, surrendering 4.78 goals per game over their past nine defeats. The Preds have struggled in recent trips to Bell Centre, capped by a 4-3 loss on January 12, but have otherwise dominated the Habs in head-to-head action, winning 10 of 14 overall meetings since January 2015.
The Canadiens have enjoyed the benefit of great goaltending and little else over the past two games, allowing 48 shots on goal in each of those contests. The club has also struggled to shut down opposing shooters during a dismal 1-5-1 run on home ice, during which they have been outshot by a wide 27-13 margin while allowing more than 36 shots per game. However, only three of those recent home defeats have come by multi-goal margins.
Nashville Predators
The Predators were limited to just 18 shots on goal for the third time this season in Saturday’s loss to a Leafs squad that responded to the recent loss of goaltender Joseph Woll to injury with a complete 60-minute performance. While not necessarily dominating, the Preds have been seizing their opportunities during their resurgence and will be eager to atone for their loss at Scotiabank Arena.
After seeing Kevin Lankinen get the start on Saturday, Juuse Saros is expected to get the call between the pipes. Saros has been a pillar of stability for Nashville, allowing just 18 total goals while going 7-1-0 over his past eight starts, capped by a 32-save performance in Thursday’s 5-1 rout of Tampa Bay. After going -3 on Saturday, look for Roman Josi to rebound. The talented rearguard has recorded three goals and eight points in has past eight games, and is an intriguing +275 wager on the NHL player props of scoring on Sunday night.
Montreal Canadiens
The Canadiens put up a valiant effort while seizing a 2-0 lead on Saturday night, but were steadily worn down by a relentless Sabres attack that generated 16 shots and two goals in the final frame, before rebounding to steal a 3-2 shootout win. The Habs have now won five of nine despite being utterly dominated at times.
And while they rank a distant 27th in the NHL in team scoring with 2.67 goals per game, there are some high notes to consider. Nick Suzuki has snapped a nine-game scoring drought with two goals and four points in the past four games. However, Cole Caufield continues to be snake bitten on home ice, where he has failed to score in 10 straight games. But in the wake of his nine-shot performance on Saturday, Caufield is worth considering as a -125 bet to record OVER 3.5 shots on Sunday.
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