Penguins Offense is Tough to Slow Down When it Gets Rolling

By scoring eight goals in their last game against one of the best teams in the league, I would say the Penguins exited the mini-slump they were in and will now take the Geno Malkin show on the road to take on the Canadiens at the Bell Centre. With an 8-12 moneyline record on the road this year, the Pens will be in tough against a Habs team that’s lost just six games at home all season.  

SHARK BITES
  • The Canadiens are 17-6 SU in their last 23 games at home.
  • The total has gone OVER in 11 of the Penguins' last 12 games with 1 day off between games.
  • The Penguins are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games as underdogs against the Canadiens.

Pittsburgh scored more goals in its last game than in the previous three combined and did it against the team that’s allowed the fewest goals in the NHL. When this offense heats up, it’s a dangerous thing and the last time it did, the Pens posted 12 straight OVERs. When you combine that factor with Carey Price’s slipping numbers, it makes an OVER tonight seem pretty likely.

Although many of Price’s problems over the past month or so can be attributed to the high number of games he’s started on the road, they cannot be ignored. He has an .886 save percentage in six January starts and has allowed four goals in each of his last two starts at the Bell Centre.

Don’t get me wrong, Price is still the best goalie in the NHL and the Canadiens are historically dominant at home. The best advice I can give for this game is to go with whatever side offers you more value – this is an excellent matchup.

Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick

If you're backing the visiting Pittsburgh Penguins in this one, they Penguins listed earlier today as underdogs of -103 at most sportsbooks, including Sportsbook. Those over/under total betting saw the number open in the area of 5.5, depending on the book.

Odds Shark score prediction models pick a 3.2-2.4 result in favor of the Penguins today. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NHL matchups here.

Pittsburgh Penguins vs Montreal Canadiens Matchup

Team Betting Records & Power Rankings

The Montreal Canadiens bring a 27-12-6 record to the battle against the 27-11-5 Penguins. OVER/UNDER bettors have seen Montreal go 20-17-8 so far and the Penguins go 28-11-4. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Montreal vs Pittsburgh injuries news.

The NHL Power Rankings at Odds Shark show the No. 6-rated Pittsburgh Penguins taking on the No. 4-rated Montreal Canadiens in this contest.

Statistical Matchup

The game also pits Montreal's No. 7-ranked offense, averaging 3.07 goals per game, against a Penguins defense that ranks No. 24 at 3.05 goals allowed. The Canadiens power play is averaging 21.74% while the Penguins defense kills off 78.15% of their penalties.

Recent Outings Betting Recap

Pittsburgh won its last outing, a 8-7 result against the Capitals on January 16. Bettors who backed the Penguins at -129 on the moneyline won on the day, and the total score (15) sent OVER bettors to the payout window.

Montreal lost its last outing, a 1-0 result against the Red Wings on January 16. Bettors who backed the Red Wings at +131 on the moneyline won on the day, and the total score (1) sent UNDER bettors to the payout window.

Betting Trends
  • Pittsburgh is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games
  • Pittsburgh is 14-6 SU in its last 20 games
  • The total has gone OVER in 5 of Pittsburgh's last 6 games
  • Pittsburgh is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
  • Montreal is 16-7 ATS in its last 23 games
  • Montreal is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
  • The total has gone OVER in 5 of Montreal's last 7 games
  • Montreal is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games at home

Next Betting Matchups

Pittsburgh at Carolina, Friday, January 20th
Montreal at New Jersey, Friday, January 20th

The Canadiens are 17-6 SU in their last 23 games at home.home The total has gone OVER in 11 of the Penguins' last 12 games with 1 day off between games.away The Penguins are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games as underdogs against the Canadiens.away
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