Montreal Canadiens vs Florida Panthers Prediction, 12/29/2022 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Montreal Canadiens vs Florida Panthers

Date: Thursday, December 29, 2022

Location: FLA Live Arena in Sunrise, FL

TV: Bally Sports Florida

Odds/Point Spread: Canadiens (+270) Panthers (-345)

The Montreal Canadiens (15-16-3) are on their way to FLA Live Arena on Thursday where they will compete against the Florida Panthers (15-16-4). The line on this matchup has the Canadiens at +270 while the Panthers are priced at -345. The over/under is 7.

The Montreal Canadiens had a rough game after their 4-2 defeat against the Stars their last time on the ice. The Canadiens didn't have a great showing offensively in this loss. For the outing, they finished 2 of the 24 shots they put on net. Additionally, they had 2 chances with the advantage and were able to net 1 goal. Montreal amassed 20 mins in the box in this matchup.

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While at even strength, the Canadiens have conceded 90 goals while earning 76 of their own. Montreal Canadiens opponents have amassed 123 power play opportunities (9th in pro hockey) and have scored 28 goals in those attempts. Regarding their scoring, the Montreal Canadiens have earned 91 goals (27th in hockey) this season and have given up 118. Montreal has taken 963 shots and has a shooting percentage of 9.5%. For the year, they sit with 33 points and their points percentage sits at .485. The Canadiens have seen 1,127 shots tried against them and are the owners of a save percentage of .895. Montreal comes into tonight with 105 power play opportunities and they have scored 15 goals during those chances, giving them a rate of 14.29%.

The man in net for this game is Sam Montembeault. Montembeault has been involved in 74 matchups throughout his pro hockey career. He has a win-loss record of 23-29-11 and he started in 60 games. Opponents have been able to score 223 goals versus Montembeault in his professional career and his goals against average per game is 3.43. Montembeault has had 2,126 shot attempts against him and has accrued 1,903 saves. He has a save percentage of .895 for his 3,899 minutes between the pipes. Over the course of his career, Montembeault has accumulated 26 quality starts and his percentage for quality starts is .433.

Their last time out, Florida played the Islanders in a game where the Panthers took a loss by a tally of 5-1. They had 3 opportunities on the power play in this contest but weren't able to notch a goal. The Panthers scored 1 goal of the 23 shots on goal they tried.

For the year, the Florida Panthers have earned 113 goals, 34 points, in addition to a points percentage of .486. They have permitted 119 goals to be scored by way of 89 goals at even strength and 30 goals while they were shorthanded. The Panthers have scored 90 goals at even strength and 23 goals (20th in hockey) while on the power play. They have earned 124 power play opportunities and they have a power play percentage of 18.55%. Florida has tried 1,284 shots (1st in the NHL) and has accumulated a shooting percentage of 8.80%, while allowing their opponents 1,115 shots. They have earned a penalty kill rate of 77.61% on their opponents 134 power play opportunities, and their save percentage currently sits at 89.3%.

Across the ice you are likely to see Sergei Bobrovsky in goal. He has gathered 16,468 stops out of the 17,991 shots attempted, giving him a rate of .915. Bobrovsky is sitting with a career record of 343-198-49 and has been in net for 613 games. He has made the start in 597 contests and his ice time sits at 35,260 mins. Bobrovsky's quality start rate is 56.8% and he has earned 339 quality starts in his professional career. Opponents are averaging 2.59 goals per game and he has allowed 1,523 goals overall.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Guy's Pick: Take Florida (-345)

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