Montreal Canadiens vs Vancouver Canucks Prediction, 3/21/2024 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Montreal Canadiens vs Vancouver Canucks

Date: Thursday, March 21, 2024

Location: Rogers Arena in Vancouver, BC

TV: Sportsnet

Odds/Point Spread: Canadiens (+215) Canucks (-275)

The Montreal Canadiens (25-31-12) are traveling to Rogers Arena on Thursday where they will go up against the Vancouver Canucks (43-18-8). The odds on this game have the Canadiens at +215 while the Canucks are coming in at -275. The total has been set at 7.

The Montreal Canadiens were on the wrong end of the scoreboard with a 3-2 loss against the Oilers in their previous game. Montreal accumulated 15 penalty mins in this matchup. In addition, they had 3 power play tries but weren't able to make the most of them. The Canadiens didn't have their best offensive outing in the defeat. In the matchup, they scored on 2 out of the 25 shots they attempted.

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While playing at even strength, the Canadiens have given up 176 goals while notching 144 when they are on offense. Montreal Canadiens opponents have 233 power play tries (3rd in pro hockey) and have notched 57 goals in those chances. In terms of their scoring capabilities, the Montreal Canadiens have accumulated 184 goals (27th in the National Hockey League) for the year and have allowed 233. Montreal has attempted 1,920 shots and holds a shooting percentage of 9.6%. For the year, they sit with 62 points and their points percentage is sitting at .456. The Canadiens thus far have had 2,251 shots taken against them and are the owners of a save percentage of .896. Montreal comes into the game with 220 power play chances and they have added 40 goals out of those attempts, garnering them a percentage of 18.18%.

The man in goal for this game is Sam Montembeault. In his career, Montembeault has recorded 63 quality starts and his percentage for quality starts is .525. He has a save percentage of .898 during his 7,544 mins in the crease. Montembeault has had 4,178 shot attempts against him and has gathered 3,752 saves. The opposition has scored 426 goals against Montembeault in his pro hockey career and his goals against rate is 3.39. He has accumulated an overall mark of 46-57-19 and he has gotten the start in 120 games. Montembeault has played in 136 matchups over the course of his hockey career.

Their last time out, Vancouver faced off against the Sabres in an outing where the Canucks got the victory by a score of 3-2. They had 5 opportunities on the power play in this outing and notched 1 out of those opportunities. The Canucks scored 3 goals of the 34 shots on goal they attempted.

The Canucks have accumulated 192 goals at even strength and 49 goals (11th in pro hockey) while on the power play. Vancouver has tried 1,957 shots (25th in pro hockey) and has earned a shooting percentage of 12.31%, while allowing the other team 2,007 shots. During this campaign, the Vancouver Canucks have notched a total of 241 goals, 94 points, in addition to a points percentage of .681. They have granted a total of 184 goals to be scored by way of 140 goals at even strength and 44 goals while they had less men on the ice. They have a tally of 218 power play opportunities and they have accumulated a power play rate of 22.48%. They have a penalty kill percentage of 79.05% on their oppositions 210 chances on the power play, and their save percentage is currently 90.8%.

Across the rink you will find Casey DeSmith between the pipes. Teams are averaging 2.81 goals per contest and he has allowed 399 goals altogether. DeSmith's quality start rate sits at 54.1% and he has qualified for 73 quality starting assignments in his hockey career. He got the starting nod in 135 games and has played 8,510 mins. DeSmith is sitting with a career mark of 67-49-21 and has been in goal for 156 games. He has recorded 4,045 saves out of 4,444 shots attempted, which gives him a save percentage of .910.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Montreal (+215)

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