There will come a time when the Pittsburgh Penguins will have to pivot off a home-heavy early-season schedule – but it isn’t happening yet as they put their three-game winning streak on the line Tuesday against visiting Montreal. The Penguins come in having gone 12-3-2 at PPG Paints Arena and have been one of the most profitable home teams in the league so far.
- Date/Time: December 10, 7 p.m. ET
- Arena: PPG Paints Arena
- TV Coverage: RDS, TSN2, ATTSN-PT
- Sportsbook Odds: Montreal +153, Pittsburgh -170 | O/U 6
- Canadiens vs Penguins Matchup Report
Sportsbook Odds Analysis
You just can’t count on the Canadiens to come through when facing odds in this neighborhood; they’re a miserable 6-24 SU in their previous 30 games as a road underdog of +150 or greater. The total opened at 6, and will likely remain there.
Montreal News & Notes
The Canadiens are back in business – sort of – with two wins in three games following an ugly eight-game losing streak. But even the good times have come with some sour news, as they could be without second-year forward Jesperi Kotkaniemi for a second straight game. Kotkaniemi suffered a concussion Thursday night and sat out Friday’s 2-1 triumph over the Rangers.
And while the Canadiens have to be pleased with their improved play of late, they’ll face a stiff test Tuesday night against a Pens team that has won eight of the last 11 head-to-head meetings, most recently a 5-1 decision last March 3. And it could be a busy night for whoever tends goal, with the Canadiens having allowed the third-most shots per game on the road (35.0).
Pittsburgh News & Notes
The Penguins have taken full advantage of their early barrage of home games – and that’s a good thing, because they’re a mediocre 5-6-2 away from PPG Paints Arena. Fortunately for Pittsburgh, it plays its next three games in familiar territory – all against teams that would be on the outside of the postseason picture if the Stanley Cup playoffs began this week.
And while it might be fleeting given how topsy-turvy the Penguins were in November, the goaltending has been a major catalyst for the team’s recent success. Tristan Jarry posted back-to-back shutout victories over St. Louis and Arizona and might have earned himself a playing time boost moving forward. The offense is also humming, led by Evgeni Malkin (26 points in 19 games).
Betting Pick: Penguins -1.5
The scoring has picked up while the defense and goaltending have been sensational. It’s hard to bet against the Penguins right now – especially at home – and we don’t advise it here.
- Montreal is 2-9 SU in its last 11 games.
- Pittsburgh is 5-0 SU in its last 5 home games.
- The OVER is 4-1 in Pittsburgh’s last 5 home games vs Montreal.
