New York Islanders vs Montreal Canadiens Prediction, 12/16/2023 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: New York Islanders vs Montreal Canadiens

Date: Saturday, December 16, 2023

Location: Bell Centre in Montreal, QC

TV: TSN

Odds/Point Spread: Islanders (-129) Canadiens (+107)

The New York Islanders (14-7-7) are en route to Bell Centre on Saturday where they will compete against the Montreal Canadiens (12-13-4). The moneyline on this matchup has the Islanders at -129 and the Canadiens are sitting at +107. The over/under is 7.

The New York Islanders had a good night with a 4-3 victory against the Ducks in their previous game. New York accumulated 4 mins in the box in this contest. The Islanders had a solid offensive outing and it was apparent in the win. Furthermore, they had 4 power play attempts and scored 1 goal. In the outing, they tallied a score on 4 out of the 34 shots they put on net.

Get all of our Free NHL Picks

While playing at even strength, the Islanders have allowed 65 goals while notching 67 of their own. New York Islanders opponents have totaled 84 power play opportunities (27th in professional hockey) and have racked up 23 goals in those attempts. With regard to their goal scoring prowess, the New York Islanders have notched 86 goals (20th in the NHL) over the course of the season and have given up 88. New York has attempted 840 shots and is the owner of a shot percentage of 10.2%. For the current campaign, they have tallied 35 points and their points percentage is .625. The Islanders have seen 996 shots attempted against them and are the owners of a save percentage of .912. New York comes into the game with 78 power play chances and they have scored 19 goals during those advantages, garnering them a percentage of 24.36%.

The man in net for this game is Ilya Sorokin. Opponents have scored 366 goals against Sorokin in his professional hockey career and his goals against rate is 2.43. Sorokin has participated in 154 games during his professional hockey career. His save percentage currently is .922 in his 9,029 mins in the crease. He has accumulated a record of 78-50-24 and he has gotten the start in 151 games. In his professional hockey career, Sorokin has earned 105 quality starts and his quality starts rate sits at .695. Sorokin has had 4,705 shots taken against him and has accrued 4,339 total saves.

In their last contest, Montreal faced off against the Penguins in an outing where the Canadiens got the tie by a final of 3-3. They had 4 opportunities on the power play in this matchup and tallied 1 out of those attempts. The Canadiens had 3 goals of the 42 shots on goal they pursued.

The Canadiens have accumulated 58 goals at even strength and 18 goals (19th in hockey) while having a power play advantage. Montreal has put up 845 shots (21st in professional hockey) and has accumulated a shooting percentage of 8.99%, while allowing their opponents 999 shots. For the year, the Montreal Canadiens have tallied 76 goals, 28 points, as well as a points percentage of .483. They have permitted 98 goals to be scored by way of 69 goals at even strength and 29 goals while they were shorthanded. They have a total of 106 power play chances and they have a power play percentage of 16.98%. They have accumulated a penalty kill rate of 72.38% on the other teams 105 power play tries, and their save percentage comes in at 90.2%.

Across the rink you are likely to see Sam Montembeault protecting the goal. The opposition is averaging 3.40 goals per contest and he has surrendered 360 goals overall. Montembeault's quality start rate comes out to 49.0% and he has made 49 quality starting assignments in his professional career. He got the starting nod in 100 games and has been on the ice for 6,346 mins. Montembeault has accrued a career mark of 39-49-14 and has been in net for 116 contests. He has recorded 3,153 stops out of 3,513 shots taken, which gives him a percentage of .898.

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

Josh's Pick: Take New York (-129)

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here