Montreal Canadiens vs New Jersey Devils Prediction, 2/21/2023 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Montreal Canadiens vs New Jersey Devils

Date: Tuesday, February 21, 2023

Location: Prudential Center in Newark, NJ

TV: MSG+

Odds/Point Spread: Canadiens (+275) Devils (-350)

The Montreal Canadiens (23-29-4) are hitting the road to Prudential Center on Tuesday where they will take on the New Jersey Devils (37-14-5). The odds on this game have the Canadiens at +275 and the Devils are at -350. The over/under has been set at 7.

The Montreal Canadiens will be looking to get a win in their next outing after their 5-1 defeat to the Maple Leafs in their previous game. Montreal compiled 6 mins in the box in this contest. The Canadiens had an offensive game that was below their expectations in this defeat. In addition, they had 1 attempt on the power play but didn't convert it into a score. In the game, they tallied a score on 1 out of the 30 shots they launched.

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Montreal Canadiens opponents have earned 198 power play opportunities (6th in hockey) and have come away with 52 goals in those chances. The Canadiens have had 1,898 shots attempted against them and have earned a save percentage of .892. Montreal has taken 1,564 shots and holds a shot percentage of 9.4%. While at even strength, the Canadiens have allowed 153 goals while getting 118 on the offensive side of the ice. Montreal has accounted for 172 power play opportunities and they have tallied 29 goals out of those attempts, garnering them a percentage of 16.86%. For the season, they have earned 50 points and their points percentage comes in at .446. In regard to their scoring capabilities, the Montreal Canadiens have racked up 147 goals (29th in the National Hockey League) for the season and have allowed 205.

The player between the pipes for this game is Jake Allen. Allen has participated in 385 games over the course of his hockey career. He has accumulated an overall mark of 180-144-37 and was named the starter in 365 games. The opposition has notched 966 goals versus Allen in his professional career and his goals against average per game is 2.67. Allen has seen 10,668 shot attempts taken against him and he has 9,702 saves. His save percentage is .909 during his 21,678 mins played. In his career, Allen has compiled 191 quality starts and his quality starts percentage sits at .523.

When they took the ice last, New Jersey played the Jets in a game where the Devils notched a win by a final score of 4-2. They had 2 power play opportunities in this outing but weren't able to notch a goal. The Devils recorded 4 goals of the 29 shots on goal they were seeking.

The Devils have 160 goals at even strength and 34 goals (20th in the league) while having more men on the ice. New Jersey has taken 1,914 shots (4th in the NHL) and has earned a shooting percentage of 10.14%, while allowing the opposition 1,606 shots. So far this year, the New Jersey Devils have 194 goals, 79 points, in addition to a points percentage of .705. They have granted a total of 147 goals to be scored by way of 114 goals at even strength and 33 goals while they were shorthanded. They have a total of 163 chances on the power play and they have accumulated a power play percentage of 20.86%. They have recorded a penalty kill rate of 80.92% on their oppositions 173 power play tries, and their save percentage sits at 90.8%.

For the opposition you are going to see Vitek Vanecek protecting the goal. He is sitting with 2,802 saves out of 3,077 shots taken against him, giving him a save % of .911. Vanecek is the owner of a lifetime record of 65-27-13 and has played in 115 contests. He has made the start in 108 games and has racked up 6,437 mins. Vanecek's rate of quality starts comes out to 55.6% and he has 60 quality starting assignments in his career. Opponents are averaging 2.56 goals per contest and he has conceded 275 goals altogether.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Montreal (+275)

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