Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Montreal Canadiens 12/13/23 – The Pittsburgh Penguins (12-12-3) take on the Montreal Canadiens (12-13-3) on Wednesday night in a clash of Eastern Conference foes struggling to find consistency this NHL season. This important matchup provides an opportunity for both teams to build some momentum with the second half of the season approaching. When considering the latest NHL betting picks and trends, this game could go either way.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Montreal Canadiens 12/13/23
When: Wednesday, December 13, 2023, at 7:00 PM ET
Where: Bell Centre
TV: ESPN+
Stream: NHL.TV
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Montreal Canadiens 12/13/23 Betting Odds:
| Team | PUCKLINE | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Penguins | -1.5 +156 | o6.5 -107 | -161 |  |
| Canadiens | +1.5 -180 | u6.5 -107 | +130 | |
| ||||
Coach Sullivan on tonight's two power-play goals: "The power play has an opportunity to make a difference for us moving forward, and we believe they will. They're good players – and these guys care. They're proud guys, and they're working at it." https://t.co/y8Iy3PpHyJ
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) December 13, 2023
Goaltender Tristan Jarry vs. Goaltender Sam Montembeault
Tristan Jarry has been the cornerstone of Pittsburgh Penguins defense this season. Playing 21 games under his belt, he boasts not only skill but consistency as well. With an outstanding 0.917 save percentage demonstrating both reflexes and positional play he provides an effective barrier to any offensive lineup; reading the game and making crucial saves has kept Pittsburgh competitive in tight games; his performance against Canadiens’ offensive plays (especially power play situations) will be key determining factor.
Sam Montembeault of the Montreal Canadiens also brings his own set of skills to the ice. Although slightly lower than Jarry’s save percentage across 12 games, Montembeault still exhibits his ability to effectively guard his net. Montembeault’s agility and quick glove work will be essential against Pittsburgh’s high-octane offense; his one-on-one situations performance as well as shootout save percentage 0.5 could prove crucial during decisive moments in a game where Pittsburgh dominates play – defeating them heavily depends on him holding off with respect. Against such powerhouses like Crosby and Guentzel.
Pittsburgh Penguins Offensive Analysis and Team Leaders
Jake Guentzel, Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin lead an explosive Pittsburgh Penguins offense. Guentzel stands out with 12 goals and 19 assists; Crosby brings leadership and scoring ability that rivals any opponent; Malkin provides balanced scoring and playmaking ability – making Pittsburgh’s offense multidimensional and difficult for Canadiens’ defense to handle. Their power play performance and shooting accuracy will play key roles in breaking through Montreal’s defense strategies.
Montreal Canadiens Offensive Analysis and Team Leaders
Montreal brings their own set of offensive talents into play against Pittsburgh. Nick Suzuki leads this charge, with 22 points including 8 goals. Cole Caufield and Mike Matheson are also key contributors, with Caufield having amassed 20 points this season while Matheson provides another layer to Montreal’s attack as a defenseman with offensive prowess. Their collective performance on power plays will be key in penetrating Penguins defense and pressuring Jarry.
NHL Betting Odds: Pittsburgh Penguins -161, Over/Under: 6.5
The current betting odds favor the Penguins slightly, with a moneyline of -161, reflecting their slightly stronger overall performance this season. The over/under set at 6.5 points suggests an expectation of a moderately high-scoring game, a testament to both teams’ offensive capabilities.
Trends
Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Trends
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Pittsburgh’s last 12 games.
Pittsburgh are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games.
Pittsburgh are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games against Montreal.
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Pittsburgh’s last 7 games on the road.
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Pittsburgh’s last 9 games against an opponent in the Eastern Conference conference.
Pittsburgh are 4-10 SU in their last 14 games against an opponent in the Atlantic Division division.
Montreal Canadiens Betting Trends
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Montreal’s last 9 games.
Montreal are 2-4 SU in their last 6 games.
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Montreal’s last 6 games against Pittsburgh.
Montreal are 1-7 SU in their last 8 games at home.
Montreal are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing at home against Pittsburgh.
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Montreal’s last 7 games against an opponent in the Eastern Conference conference.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Montreal Canadiens Betting Picks
The analysis of both teams’ strengths and weaknesses, combined with the current betting trends, indicates a close and competitive game. Pittsburgh’s strong offensive line might have the edge, but Montreal’s resilience, especially at home, cannot be underestimated.
For those looking at the top betting websites, considering a bet on the Penguins to win could be a prudent choice, albeit with a caution given their recent struggles against Montreal. The under on a 6.5 total seems like a reasonable bet, given both teams’ recent trends of low-scoring games.
Score Prediction: Penguins 3, Canadiens 2.
