The Montreal Canadiens have enjoyed some home cooking lately in the form of a perfect three-game homestand, and the Habs will look to post their fourth straight victory at Bell Centre when they host the archrival Boston Bruins on Monday. Sportsbooks opened the Canadiens as -130 home favorites with a total of 6.
- The Bruins are 7-1 SU in their last eight games vs the Canadiens.
- The total has gone UNDER in the Bruins’ last five games vs the Canadiens (avg. combined score: 3.8).
- The Bruins are 2-7 ATS in their last nine games vs divisional opponents.
Bruins vs Canadiens Game Center
Shaw has been a pleasant surprise for Montreal
Two of Montreal’s wins in the streak came against Ottawa, including Saturday’s come-from-behind triumph that saw them trail by a goal after 40 minutes before scoring four times in the third period to beat the Senators 5-2. Right-winger Andrew Shaw has been flat-out dominant of late, as the veteran is riding a seven-game point streak during which he’s collected two goals and five assists.
Losers of four of their past five road contests, the Bruins last picked up a win away from home at Bell Centre on November 24 in a 3-2 win. Boston is coming off a 4-2 setback to the Buffalo Sabres at TD Garden on Sunday and is attempting to avoid its second three-game losing skid of the month tonight. Center David Krejci extended his point streak to six vs the Sabres and sits tied with Brad Marchand for the team lead with 23 assists on the season.
Bruins, Canadiens have a habit of going UNDER totals
The Bruins-Canadiens rivalry has been rather one-sided in recent matchups, with Boston winning seven of the past eight meetings with the Canadiens. The Bruins haven’t been covering the puckline, however, evidenced by Boston going 0-4 on the puckline in the previous four clashes between the clubs.
When it comes to the total, the UNDER is trending. The last five meetings between the teams have gone below the closing total with an average combined score of 3.8 goals. The UNDER has also paid out in the Bruins’ last six games with no days off between games.
Who has the edge in between the pipes?
Jaroslav Halak and Carey Price are listed as the probable starting goalies in this one. Halak (9-5-2, 2.40 goals-against average, .926 save percentage) has filled in admirably while filling in for Tuukka Rask in his first year with the Bruins. Price (13-8-4, 2.90 GAA, .902 SV%) has won five straight starts while posting a 2.19 GAA and .923 SV% in that span.
