The Nashville Predators will host the Montreal Canadiens in a Valentine’s Day matchup of Stanley Cup hopefuls that looks like a thriller just waiting to happen hockey betting faithful. If you’re looking for some expert NHL picks, then you’ve certainly come to the right place. Now, let’s find out which team is offering the best value against their NHL betting odds.
Canadiens vs Predators NHL Betting Lines & Game Preview
📍Nashville, TN#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/vE2nZaLY9B
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) 13 de febrero de 2019
- When: Thursday, February 14, 2019 at 8:00 PM ET
- Where: Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN
- TV: TSN2, RDS, FS Tennessee
- Radio: Montreal / Nashville
- Live Stream: NHL.tv
- NHL Odds: Montreal +145/Nashville -167 / Total: 5.5
Why Bet on Montreal?
Why should you consider betting on the Canadiens to get the road upset in this contest? Because they’re playing solid hockey, having won seven of their last 10 games. Not only that, but Montreal should be highly motivated after having their three-game winning streak snapped in their 4-3 overtime loss to Toronto on Saturday. Montreal is also well-rested and they made a couple of trades to bring in forwards Dale Weise and Nate Thompson and defenseman Christian Folin to improve their postseason chances.
“It’s going to take a little while to get our chemistry going, but we’re hard-nosed guys,” Weise said. “We play along the walls, we’re going to get to the net, be physical and be reliable.”
The Canadiens average 3.0 goals per game (14th) while allowing 2.9 goals per contest defensively (12th).
Team Statistics
Offense- Goals: 3.07
- Shots: 33.43
- PP/PK Percentage: 13.48
- Goals: 2.89
- Shots: 31.23
- PP/PK Percentage: 20.67
Why Bet on Nashville?
Why should you consider betting on Nashville in this one? Because they’re playing at home, they’re completely desperate and the better statistical team at both ends of the ice in averaging 3.1 goals per game (12th) and allowing just 2.6 goals per contest defensively to rank a stellar fourth in goals allowed.
After losing both ends of a home-and-home set against mediocre St. Louis last weekend, Nashville ended up on the wrong end of a narrow 3-2 loss to Detroit on Tuesday night.
“I think sometimes (we) get a little too individual and we’re on our own page,” said Predators defenseman P.K. Subban. “We have to be on the same page in how we play the game.”
Team Statistics
Offense- Goals: 3.08
- Shots: 32.73
- PP/PK Percentage: 13.64
- Goals: 2.61
- Shots: 29.25
- PP/PK Percentage: 18.65
Canadiens vs Predators NHL Betting Trends
- Montreal is 15-7 ATS in the last 22 games
- Montreal is 8-3 SU in the last 11 games
- The total went UNDER in 12 of Montreal’s last 17 games
- Nashville is 2-4 ATS in the last 6 games
- Nashville is 2-4 SU in the last 6 games
- The total went UNDER in 7 of Nashville’s last 9 games
Expert Prediction and Analysis for Canadiens vs Predators
I know Montreal is playing solid hockey right now while Nashville has hit the skids just a bit recently, but the Predators are desperate and they’re playing at home against a quality opponent, so I’m expecting to see them snap out of their funk on Thursday night.
Montreal has gone 3-9 in their last dozen games playing on three day’s or more of rest and just 14-39 in their last 53 games against a team with a winning record. With Nashville going 6-2 in their last eight meetings against Montreal, I’m going to advise you to back the Predators, out of sheer desperation, if nothing else.
NHL Betting Pick: Nashville 2 Montreal 1
