Montreal Canadiens vs Florida Panthers Prediction, 12/28/2024 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Montreal Canadiens vs Florida Panthers

Date: Saturday, December 28, 2024

Location: Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, FL

TV: WSFL-TV

Odds/Point Spread: Canadiens (+102) Panthers (-122)

The Florida Panthers (22-12-2) will take on the Montreal Canadiens (14-17-3) at Amerant Bank Arena on Saturday. The moneyline on this contest has the Canadiens at +102 and the Panthers are sitting at -122. The total is 6.

The Montreal Canadiens had a rough game after their 5-4 defeat against the Blue Jackets in their previous outing. Montreal accrued 6 penalty minutes in this game. The Canadiens had a great offensive game plan going into this one and it showed in the loss. Additionally, they had 2 power play opportunities but didn't convert them into a score. For the game, they converted 4 of the 31 shots they attempted.

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When it comes to scoring goals, the Montreal Canadiens have accumulated 100 goals (23rd in pro hockey) this year and have conceded 122. For the season, they sit with 31 points and their points percentage sits at .456. Montreal comes into tonight with 109 power play opportunities and they have notched 24 goals out of those advantages, earning them a percentage of 22.02%. While playing at even strength, the Canadiens have surrendered 100 goals while notching 76 when they are on offense. Montreal has tried 843 shots and has a shooting percentage of 11.9%. The Canadiens thus far have had 999 shots taken against them and have a save percentage of .878. Montreal Canadiens opponents have earned 122 power play opportunities (3rd in the NHL) and have scored 22 goals in those attempts.

Patrolling the crease for the game will be Sam Montembeault. Opponents have tallied 525 goals against Montembeault in his pro hockey career and his goals against rate is 3.91. Montembeault has been involved in 172 matchups over the course of his professional hockey career. His save percentage currently sits at .898 for his 8,060 mins in the crease. He has an overall mark of 61-74-23 and he was named the starter in 155 games. Over the course of his time in hockey, Montembeault has accumulated 82 quality starts and his percentage for quality starts is .529. Montembeault has had 5,156 shot attempts against him and has recorded 4,631 saves.

In their last outing, Florida opposed the Lightning in an outing where the Panthers took the loss by a tally of 4-0. They had 4 power play attempts in this matchup but weren't able to score a goal. The Panthers notched 0 goals of the 36 shots on goal they tried.

Florida has tried 1,104 shots (2nd in the NHL) and has accumulated a shooting percentage of 11.23%, while allowing the other team 964 shots. They have earned a penalty kill rate of 80.77% on the other teams 104 power play tries, and their save percentage is 88.4%. They have earned 114 power play chances and they have accumulated a power play percentage of 26.32%. The Panthers are sitting with 94 goals at even strength and 30 goals (3rd in the NHL) while on the power play. They have allowed 112 goals to be scored by way of 92 goals at even strength and 20 goals while they had less men on the ice. During this campaign, the Florida Panthers have notched a total of 124 goals, 46 points, as well as a points percentage of .639.

For the opposition you will find Sergei Bobrovsky protecting the goal. He is sitting with 19,255 stops out of the 21,060 shots taken, which gives him a save % of .914. Bobrovsky has amassed a career record of 412-231-56 and has been in net for 724 games. He has made the start in 708 contests and has played 40,385 mins. Bobrovsky's quality start percentage comes out to 57.8% and he has qualified for 409 quality starting assignments in his professional career. Opponents are averaging 2.68 goals per game and he has yielded 1,805 goals overall.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Montreal (+102)

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