Boston Bruins vs Montreal Canadiens Prediction, 12/18/2021 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Boston Bruins vs Montreal Canadiens

Date: Saturday, December 18, 2021

Location: Bell Centre in Montreal, QC

TV: TSN

Jake Allen and the Montreal Canadiens (6-21-3) play the Boston Bruins (14-9-2) at Bell Centre on Saturday.

The Boston Bruins will look for better times on the ice after their 4-1 loss against the Golden Knights in their last outing. Boston compiled 2 penalty minutes in this contest. They also had 1 chance with extra men on the ice but weren't able to net one. The Bruins didn't have a great showing offensively in this loss. While out there on the ice, they tallied a score on 1 out of the 24 shots they put on goal.

Boston Bruins opponents have tallied 74 power play tries (24th in the NHL) and have racked up 14 goals in those attempts. The Bruins have had 747 shots attempted against them and are the owners of a save percentage of .913. Boston has attempted 888 shots and has a shooting percentage of 7.8%. While at even strength, the Bruins have allowed the opponent to score 51 goals while having 51 on offense. Boston has accumulated 73 power play opportunities and they have notched 18 goals out of those advantages, giving them a rate of 24.66%. For the current season, the have a total of 30 points and their points percentage sits at .600. Regarding their scoring capabilities, the Boston Bruins have tallied 69 goals (27th in hockey) this season and have surrendered 65.

Patrolling the crease for the game will be Linus Ullmark. Over the course of his time in hockey, Ullmark has accounted for 69 quality starts and his percentage for quality starts is .561. He has a save percentage of .913 in his 7,333 mins played. Ullmark has seen 3,883 shots taken against him and has recorded 3,546 total saves. Opponents have tallied 337 goals against Ullmark in his professional career and his goals against rate is 2.76. He has a mark of 57-51-13 and got the start in 123 games. Ullmark has participated in 128 games over the course of his professional hockey career.

In their last contest, Montreal went up against the Penguins in a matchup where the Canadiens ended up losing by a mark of 5-2. The Canadiens recorded 2 goals of the 30 shots on goal they were seeking. They had 2 power play chances in this contest but weren't able to put one in the back of the net.

The Canadiens have tallied 53 goals at even strength and 11 goals (29th in the league) while having more men on the ice. Montreal has put up 872 shots (16th in pro hockey) and has a shot percentage of 7.34%, while allowing their opponents 996 shots. On the year, the Montreal Canadiens have tallied 64 goals, 15 points, as well as a points percentage of .250. They have a tally of 86 power play chances and they have earned a power play rate of 12.79%. They have recorded a penalty kill percentage of 70.97% on their oppositions 93 power play chances, and their save percentage sits at 89.3%. They have granted a total of 107 goals to be scored by way of 80 goals at even strength and 27 goals while they had less men on the ice.

On the other side of the ice you will find Jake Allen patrolling the crease. He has tallied 8,382 saves out of 9,198 shots taken, which gives him a rate of .911. Allen has compiled a career mark of 164-121-33 and has been in net for 341 contests. He got the starting nod in 321 games and his ice time sits at 19,124 minutes. Allen's quality start percentage comes in at 53.0% and he has 170 quality starts in his NHL career. His opponents are averaging 2.56 goals/game and he has allowed 816 goals overall.

Who will win tonight's hockey game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take Boston

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