Host Golden Knights Huge Favorites to Strike First vs Canadiens

The Montreal Canadiens are quite used to being the underdog in the Stanley Cup playoffs – but they find themselves in an entirely different place (literally) entering Game 1 of their third-round series with Vegas. The Canadiens (32-24-11 SU, 28-36-3 O/U) venture out of Canada for the first time all season as massive dogs against the powerhouse Golden Knights (48-17-4 SU, 34-33-2 O/U).

Sportsbook Odds Analysis

The Knights opened as overwhelming -260 favorites – and that line has actually risen to -270 or even -280 in some spots. The total for Game 1 is set at 5.5, with the UNDER at -130 and the OVER at +110.

Montreal News & Notes

The Canadiens’ rise to the NHL’s final four has been nothing short of amazing. After rallying from a 3-1 deficit to stun the Toronto Maple Leafs in Round 1, Montreal had a much easier time of it in the second round with a four-game sweep of the Winnipeg Jets. Montreal has won seven straight games overall and has allowed just 12 total goals over the course of that streak.

In terms of potential player prop or daily fantasy plays on the Montreal side, one player stands out above the rest. Tyler Toffoli has been the Canadiens’ top offensive player over the length of their hot stretch, recording four goals and four assists in seven games, including a power-play goal, a short-handed tally and two game-winning goals, one in overtime.

Vegas News & Notes

The Golden Knights have put their roughest stretch of the postseason behind them. Vegas had lost four of five games between the first and second rounds, nearly squandering a 3-1 series lead against Minnesota in Round 1 and falling behind 2-0 to Colorado in Round 2. But four straight wins over the Avalanche have the Golden Knights in the Stanley Cup semifinals for the third time in four years.

All eyes will be on Golden Knights forward Max Pacioretty, who scored three goals in the Golden Knights’ four straight wins over the Avalanche and has eight points (four goals, four assists) in seven postseason games. Pacioretty spent his first 10 NHL seasons with the Canadiens and has only faced Montreal three times in his career with Vegas, recording one goal and one assist.

Betting Pick: Vegas (-270)

This win won’t pay your mortgage, but it’s difficult to see the light-scoring Canadiens stealing a Game 1 win in their first cross-border trip in more than a year – particularly given how well the Golden Knights have played of late.