Montreal Canadiens vs Chicago Blackhawks Prediction, 12/22/2023 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Montreal Canadiens vs Chicago Blackhawks

Date: Friday, December 22, 2023

Location: United Center in Chicago, IL

TV: NBC Sports Chicago

Odds/Point Spread: Canadiens (-105) Blackhawks (-117)

The Chicago Blackhawks (10-20-1) welcome the Montreal Canadiens (14-13-4) at United Center on Friday. The odds on this game have Montreal at -105 and Chicago is coming in at -117. The betting total is set at 7.

The Montreal Canadiens came out of this game feeling pretty good about themselves with a 3-2 victory against the Jets in their previous game. Montreal garnered 6 minutes in the box in this contest. The Canadiens had a middle of the road showing in the win. Furthermore, they had 3 power play tries and notched 2 goals. In the game, they converted 3 of the 26 shots they looked to score on.

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In the matter of their goal scoring prowess, the Montreal Canadiens have notched 84 goals (28th in pro hockey) so far this season and have allowed 103. For the year, they have accumulated 32 points and their points percentage sits at .516. Montreal is sitting with 111 power play chances and they have scored 20 goals out of those attempts, giving them a rate of 18.02%. While at even strength, the Canadiens let the opposition score 74 goals while scoring 64 on offense. Montreal has taken 912 shots and holds a shooting percentage of 9.2%. The Canadiens have had 1,064 shots tried against them and have a save percentage of .903. Montreal Canadiens opponents have totaled 108 power play tries (6th in professional hockey) and have come away with 29 goals in those chances.

The player in the crease for this game is Sam Montembeault. Opponents have scored 363 goals against Montembeault in his career and his goals against rate is 3.40. Montembeault has been involved in 117 games during his hockey career. His save percentage currently is .898 in his 6,406 mins between the pipes. He has compiled a record of 40-49-14 and he has started in 101 games. During his career on the ice, Montembeault has 50 quality starts and his percentage for quality starts is .495. Montembeault has seen 3,546 shots taken against him and has amassed 3,183 saves.

When they were on the ice last, Chicago opposed the Avalanche in a game where the Blackhawks took home the victory by a final of 3-2. They had 6 attempts on the power play in this matchup and earned 1 out of those tries. The Blackhawks netted 3 goals of the 22 shots on goal they took.

On the year, the Chicago Blackhawks are sitting with 73 goals, 21 points, and a points percentage of .339. They have permitted 110 goals to be scored by of a combination of 85 goals at even strength and 25 goals while they were shorthanded. The Blackhawks have 61 goals at even strength and 12 goals (28th in pro hockey) while on the power play. They have a tally of 101 chances on the power play and they have earned a power play rate of 11.88%. Chicago has attempted 839 shots (30th in hockey) and has a shooting percentage of 8.70%, while allowing the opposition 1,008 shots. They have a penalty kill percentage of 74.49% on their oppositions 98 chances on the power play, and their save percentage currently sits at 89.1%.

Across the rink you are likely to see Petr Mrazek patrolling the crease. He has recorded 8,942 saves out of the 9,855 shots taken against him, giving him a rate of .907. Mrazek has a career mark of 158-134-34 and has been in net for 354 games. He has started in 324 games and has played for a total of 19,741 minutes. Mrazek's rate of quality starts sits at 51.2% and he has 166 quality starting assignments in his professional career. Teams are averaging 2.77 goals per game and he has surrendered 913 goals overall.

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

Parlays Pundit's Pick: Take Chicago (-117) and under 6.5 goals

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