Montreal Canadiens vs Pittsburgh Penguins Prediction, 2/22/2024 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Montreal Canadiens vs Pittsburgh Penguins

Date: Thursday, February 22, 2024

Location: PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA

TV: Sportsnet Pittsburgh

Odds/Point Spread: Canadiens (+150) Penguins (-186)

PPG Paints Arena is the location where the Pittsburgh Penguins (24-21-8) will compete against the Montreal Canadiens (22-25-8) on Thursday. The moneyline on this game has Montreal at +150 and Pittsburgh is opening at -186. The total is 7.

The Montreal Canadiens will look for better times on the ice after their 4-3 defeat against the Capitals in their previous contest . The Canadiens had a middle of the road offensive output in the defeat. For the game, they scored on 3 out of the 31 shots they put on net. They also had 3 chances with the advantage and were able to notch 1 goal. Montreal accumulated 2 penalty minutes for this game.

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Montreal Canadiens opponents have earned 192 power play tries (5th in pro hockey) and have come away with 50 goals in those attempts. The Canadiens thus far have had 1,856 shots taken against them and hold a save percentage of .895. Montreal has attempted 1,558 shots and has a shooting percentage of 9.8%. While playing at even strength, the Canadiens have allowed the opponent to score 144 goals while earning 116 on offense. Montreal has accumulated 184 power play opportunities and they have scored 37 goals out of those attempts, garnering them a rate of 20.11%. For the year, they have earned 52 points and their points percentage sits at .473. In relation to scoring goals, the Montreal Canadiens have tallied 153 goals (27th in pro hockey) on the season and have given up 194.

Patrolling the crease for the game will be Sam Montembeault. Montembeault has been in goal for 129 games during his pro hockey career. He has compiled a record of 45-54-16 and he has gotten the start in 113 games. Opponents have been able to score 407 goals versus Montembeault in his professional career and his goals against rate is 3.43. Montembeault has seen 3,961 shots taken against him and he has 3,554 total saves. His save percentage currently is .897 in his 7,120 minutes in the crease. In his professional hockey career, Montembeault has recorded 58 quality starts and his quality starts rate sits at .513.

Their last time out, Pittsburgh went up against the Islanders in a matchup where the Penguins ended up losing by a mark of 5-4. The Penguins scored 4 goals out of the 41 shots on goal they were seeking. They had 3 power play opportunities in this matchup but didn't put one in the back of the net.

The Penguins are sitting with 129 goals at even strength and 24 goals (28th in hockey) while having more men on the ice. Pittsburgh has put up 1,757 shots (9th in the NHL) and has accumulated a shot percentage of 8.71%, while allowing the opposition 1,597 shots. On the season, the Pittsburgh Penguins have notched a total of 153 goals, 56 points, in addition to a points percentage of .528. They have granted a total of 142 goals to be scored by way of 114 goals at even strength and 28 goals while they had less men on the ice. They have a total of 178 power play opportunities and they have earned a power play rate of 13.48%. They have recorded a penalty kill percentage of 82.05% on their opponents 156 chances on the power play, and their save percentage sits at 91.1%.

Across the ice you are expected to see Tristan Jarry in net. He has compiled 6,347 stops out of 6,947 shots tried, which gives him a save percentage of .914. Jarry is sitting with a lifetime record of 131-77-24 and has been in goal for 242 games. He has been a starter 233 games and has played for a total of 13,708 minutes. Jarry's percentage of quality starts comes out to 60.9% and he has earned 142 quality starts in his pro career. Teams are averaging 2.63 goals/game and he has conceded 600 goals in total.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Pittsburgh (-186)

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