-
Edgar Chaput
Detroit Red Wings vs. Montreal Canadiens Prediction, NHL Odds
Neither squad has amassed even 50 points at this stage of the season. Although prospects are looking dire, old rivalries have the potential to spark up a good old hockey game.
The NHL odds have Detroit as -1.5 favourites (+160 on the puck line). As for the over-under, it’s set at 6.
Red Wings vs. Canadiens NHL Betting Odds
Detroit has gotten the better of le Tricolore in recent years. The Michigan-based outfit has claimed five of the last eight meetings. In an interesting quirk, the last four contests have had either 3-2 or 3-0 final scorelines, with each team winning once by those scores. Thursday marks the penultimate contest pitting these sides. Both games in Detroit have already been played, with Montreal winning the most recent.
A 24-22 record ATS speaks to the Red Wings’ woes. They are by no means a poor team but are plagued by inconsistency. That said, it’s still better than their 20-18-8 win-loss tally. Furthermore, they’re by no means an easy squad to face as hosts. 8-8-5 doesn’t sounds excellent, but they earn at least one point in the majority of their away tilts.
24-24 against the puck line is not bad at all when considering they’re renting out the basement of the Atlantic Division. The Bell Centre has not been a fort this season, as evidenced by Montreal’s 11-13 record when playing in La Belle Province. Neither the Habs nor the Red Wings are efficient at putting the puck in the net, so the Under feels like the safer bet in this instance.
Detroit Red Wings
Detroit is 4-4 in their past eight, earning victories against squads they were predicted to lose to and suffering defeat at the hands of those they should have vanquished. Tuesday’s home date with the San Jose Sharks was an intriguing proposition. Would Detroit play up to its level, or down to that of its disappointing visitors?
The result was something of a mixed bag, but ultimately paid off, courtesy of a 3-2 win in the extra frame. After a first period which saw neither netminder under significant duress, the fireworks started in the middle frame. Michael Rasmussen proved to be the X Factor on the night. With the score tied 1-1 in the second period, sheer will earned him his eighth marker of the year and Detroit a 2-1 lead. He had been rocked to the ice in San Jose territory but quickly sprung to his skates to claim a pass off the boards and wrist a sweet shot past James Reimer. Then, in overtime, he pounced on the puck off a face-off in Sharks territory, causing enough ruckus in front of the net for teammate Andrew Copp (fifth) to slot home the winner.
Montreal Canadiens
Some defeats don’t smart as badly as others. Falling to Boston stings under nearly all circumstances except for perhaps Tuesday night. Prior to game time it was certainly one of the most lopsided affairs on the calendar.
Much like how Toronto’s presence on Saturday had Montreal playing with more moxie than had been the case for most of the season, so too did Boston’s. Sam Montembeault was excellent in defeat, stopping 26 of 29 shots, with the game-winner from Patrice Bergeron simply being a case of an excellent shooter outdueling a goalie on their game. When Montreal opened the scoring in the middle stanza on the power play through Kirby Dach’s slick one-timer (ninth), it felt like maybe a surprise was in store. The Bruins are the best team in the NHL for a reason, and ultimately showed their worth in a tough road environment, earning a 4-2 victory.
DET
MON