New York Islanders vs Montreal Canadiens Prediction, 1/25/2024 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: New York Islanders vs Montreal Canadiens

Date: Thursday, January 25, 2024

Location: Bell Centre in Montreal, QC

TV: TSN

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

Bell Centre is the location where the Montreal Canadiens (19-21-7) will meet the New York Islanders (20-16-11) on Thursday. The line on this contest has the Islanders at -122 and the Canadiens are coming in at +102. The over/under has been set at 7.

The New York Islanders had a rough game after their 3-2 defeat against the Golden Knights in their previous game. New York tallied 6 penalty mins in this matchup. They also had 3 power play opportunities but weren't able to score. The Islanders had a below average offensive performance in the defeat. For the matchup, they converted 2 out of the 42 shots they tried.

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With regard to scoring goals, the New York Islanders have racked up 137 goals (21st in pro hockey) for the season and have allowed 156. For the current campaign, they have tallied 51 points and their points percentage is .543. New York is sitting with 126 power play opportunities and they have notched 28 goals out of those chances, garnering them a percentage of 22.22%. When playing at even strength, the Islanders let the opposition score 118 goals while getting 109 on the offensive side of the ice. New York has attempted 1,399 shots and has a shooting percentage of 9.8%. The Islanders thus far have had 1,646 shots taken against them and have a save percentage of .905. New York Islanders opponents have totaled 143 power play tries (19th in the league) and have come away with 38 goals in those chances.

The player guarding the cage in this matchup is Semyon Varlamov. Varlamov has participated in 597 contests throughout his professional hockey career. He has earned an overall record of 278-224-66 and he started in 569 games. Opponents have racked up 1,507 goals against Varlamov in his NHL career and his goals against average is 2.65. Varlamov has seen 17,938 shot attempts against him and has accrued 16,431 saves. His save percentage currently is at .916 for his 34,168 minutes played. In his professional hockey career, Varlamov has recorded 325 quality starts and his quality starts rate is .571.

The last time they were on the ice, Montreal went up against the Senators in a game where the Canadiens ended up taking the loss by a mark of 4-1. They had 5 power play chances in this game but weren't able to put one in the back of the net. The Canadiens recorded 1 goal out of the 25 shots on goal they took.

Montreal has attempted 1,321 shots (27th in the league) and has earned a shooting percentage of 9.54%, while allowing the other team 1,586 shots. They have earned a penalty kill percentage of 73.75% on the other teams 160 power play chances, and their save percentage sits at 89.6%. They have earned 155 opportunities on the power play and they have a power play rate of 18.71%. The Canadiens have scored 97 goals at even strength and 29 goals (18th in the NHL) while on the power play. They have allowed 165 goals to be scored by of a combination of 123 goals at even strength and 42 goals while they had less men on the ice. On the year, the Montreal Canadiens have accumulated 126 goals, 45 points, as well as a points percentage of .479.

Across the rink you will find Sam Montembeault patrolling the crease. He has a tally of 3,415 saves out of the 3,807 shots tried, giving him a percentage of .897. Montembeault has compiled a lifetime record of 43-52-16 and has participated in 125 games. He was named a starter in 109 games and his ice time sits at 6,882 minutes. Montembeault's quality start rate sits at 50.5% and he has qualified for 55 quality starting assignments in his career. Teams are averaging 3.42 goals per contest and he has given up 392 goals in total.

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

Josh's Pick: Take New York (-122)

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