Detroit Red Wings vs. Montreal Canadiens Prediction, NHL Odds

Daniel Coyle | Updated Dec 02, 2023

The Canadiens are expected to have freshly signed goaltender Samuel Montembeault in the crease for Saturday’s contest.

Detroit
41-32-8-1
AT
December 02, 2023, 7:00 PM ET
Bell Centre
Montreal
30-36-8-8
Puckline -1.5 +165
Moneyline -145
Over / Under o +6.5
Puckline +1.5 -200
Moneyline +120
Over / Under u +6.5

The Detroit Red Wings are not expected to have Patrick Kane in the lineup when they visit the Montreal Canadiens in Saturday night NHL betting action at Bell Centre. The Red Wings inked the three-time Stanley Cup winner to a one-year deal this week, but are giving the 35-year-old ample opportunity to prepare for game action after undergoing hip surgery during the offseason. The Canadiens hit the ice on Saturday riding a four-game home losing streak after getting outclassed in Thursday’s 5-1 loss to Florida, and have scored just 11 total goals while losing four of six to Detroit including a pair of home defeats last season.

Winners in four of their past five, capped by Thursday’s 5-1 rout of the Chicago Blackhawks, the Red Wings lead the way as -155 road favourites on the Saturday NHL odds. The Canadiens are listed as underdogs on home ice for the sixth time in as many games, sporting +125 odds, while the total is listed at 6.5.

Red Wings vs. Canadiens NHL Betting Odds

The Red Wings have shown signs of turning the corner after missing the playoffs in each of the past seven seasons. However, the club remains prone to inconsistent play, with a three-game win streak in mid-November marking their only consecutive victories since the first 10 days of the season. Detroit has lost four of six on the road, but filled the net in their two victories at Bell Centre last season, outscoring the Habs by a wide 9-3 margin. The Canadiens kicked off their recent run of success on the road with a 3-2 win in Detroit back on November 9, but have struggled badly at home, allowing 4.50 goals per game during their four-game swoon while scoring more than two goals just once over that stretch, and now rank 24th in the NHL with a 3.48 team goals against average.

Detroit Red Wings

Patrick Kane will be joining a Red Wings squad that is quickly emerging as an offensive force. After averaging four goals per game over their past five outings, the Red Wings now rank fourth in the NHL with 3.68 goals scored per game. Robby Fabbri has quickly found his groove since seeing his season debut delayed. Fabbri potted a power play goal and the game winner in Thursday’s win over the Blackhawks, and has now turned in multi-point performances in three of his past five appearances. The club is also expected to get a lift from the return of Dylan Larkin, who has been away from the team for heartbreaking personal reasons. Larkin returns riding a three-game points streak in which he has recorded three goals and one assist, and is a -225 feel-good bet on the NHL player props to pick up at least one point on Saturday.

Montreal Canadiens

The Canadiens are expected to have freshly signed goaltender Samuel Montembeault in the crease for Saturday’s contest. The club inked Montembeault to a three-year extension on Friday after the 27-year-old set himself apart by opening the campaign on a respectable 5-3-0 run over his first nine starts. Montembeault has enjoyed past success against Detroit, allowing just four total goals while going 1-0-1 in two previous meetings. However, it remains to be seen whether the Habs can be as effective defensively this time around after holding the Wings to just 41 total shots in those games. Indeed, containing opposing shooters has been a tall order for the Canadiens, who have allowed an average of 34.7 shots on goal over their past nine home dates, and the third most shots in the NHL this season. Goals have also come at a premium, with Habs shooters averaging just 2.44 markers over their past nine games, and two or fewer goals in five of their past nine. Cole Caufield has remained the club’s steadiest performer, tallying two goals and four points over the past four games. However, Nick Suzuki has failed to score in nine straight outings. In addition, Alex Newhook, who shares the team lead in goals scored with Caufield, each with seven goals, is questionable after being forced to leave Thursday’s game with an unspecified lower body injury.

NHL Prediction: Who Will Win Red Wings vs. Canadiens?

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