Penguins vs. Canadiens Picks, Predictions: Which Team Will Stay Hot?
Last Updated: November 12, 2022 9:37 AM EST • 1 min 63 sec read.
The Pittsburgh Penguins meet with the Montreal Canadiens for a second time this season after a surprising overtime loss to them in October. Let's examine the matchup in our Penguins-Canadiens picks.
Both the Penguins and Canadiens are riding highs. Each team is on a two-game winning streak and building momentum.
These two teams last met on Oct. 17 in what was expected to be an easy win for the Penguins. Instead, the Canadiens won in overtime.
Here are my NHL picks and predictions for Saturday night’s Penguins-Canadiens game (odds via FanDuel Sportsbook, BetMGM, and DraftKings Sportsbook; Pick confidence is based on a 1-to-5-star scale).
Penguins vs. Canadiens Info
Date: Saturday, Nov. 12, 7 p.m. ET
TV: NHL Network
Location: Bell Centre, Montreal, QC
Penguins vs. Canadiens Odds Analysis
The Penguins are the Moneyline favorites, ranging from -165 to -172. Both cash and tickets have come in favor of Pittsburgh, with the Penguins getting 55% of cash and 67% of tickets.
The total is set at 6.5 at all major sportsbooks. The Over is getting 80% of the cash and 78% of the tickets.
Penguins vs. Canadiens Picks
Penguins vs. Canadiens ML Pick
Penguins (-165) ★★★★
The Penguins started off the season struggling, which was surprising from a veteran team with so much talent. But they’ve been finding their groove lately. They boast one of the league's highest-scoring offenses while averaging 3.6 goals per game (eighth).
Meanwhile, the Canadiens have been struggling offensively, but they continue to find ways to win. They’re 7-6-1, which is a solid start for a club not expected to be a playoff contender. Still, they rank 20th in the league offensively while averaging 2.93 goals per game.
With the two teams heating up, take the Penguins. They’ve already endured a tough loss against Montreal, and that was when they were limping along. Pittsburgh is definitely the better team, and its offense alone should earn the win, especially with the goaltending situation for both sides.
Penguins vs. Canadiens O/U Pick
Under 6.5 (-115) ★★★
Pittsburgh’s Tristan Jarry and Montreal’s Jake Allen boast very similar numbers. Jarry is 4-3-1 with a 3.38 goals-against average and a .903 save percentage. Allen is 4-5-0 with a 3.11 GAA and .907 SV% while not getting the same offensive support. So while Allen gives Montreal a very slight advantage between the pipes compared to Jarry, it’s not a huge difference.
Go with the Under, even with two relatively average goaltenders in net. It'll be tough for these two offenses to reach this total, despite Pittsburgh's unit ranking eighth. The Pens have been hot lately, but there were only five goals scored the last time these teams met. Factor in a low-scoring Montreal offense, and the Under should cash.
Penguins vs. Canadiens Prop Pick
Guentzel Over 1.5 points (+180) ★★
Jake Guentzel has been sizzling for the Penguins lately, which isn't surprising to anyone. He's already scored eight goals while recording five assists over just 10 games.
Guentzel has notched five points over his last three games, including against much tougher opponents in the Toronto Maple Leafs and Washington Capitals.
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Penguins-Canadiens picks made 11/12/2022 at 1:13 p.m. ET.
Sarah Griffin
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