The Montreal Canadiens (25-32-12) travel to face off against the Vancouver Canucks (43-18-8) on Thursday, March 21st. This game will be played at Rogers Arena in Vancouver and televised on ESPN+. The Canucks are coming off a win in their previous game, while the Canadiens are looking to get back on track from a loss to the Oilers. Puck drop is set for 10:00 ET.
Canadiens vs Canucks
The Montreal Canadiens Look To Bounce Back From A Loss
Montreal enters tonight’s game as the underdog, which is nothing new for them. They have been the underdog in 92% of their games this season, and they have lost two straight games. Over their last ten games, they have gone just 3-7 and are 14th in the Eastern Conference.
On the road, the Canadiens are 12-15-8 this season and have lost three straight games. Against teams in the Western Conference, Montreal has gone just 4-16 this season.
Montreal comes into this game with a puck line record of 44-24, and they have gone 8-2 against the puck line in their last ten games. The Canadiens have dropped 20 games by multiple goals this year, and they have 16 wins by just one goal.
So far this season, Montreal has gone 22-12 against the puck line on the road, and they have gone 3-2 against the puck line in their last five road games. In their last ten road games, the Canadiens have gone 6-4 against the puck line.
After suffering a 3-2 loss on the road to the Oilers, the Canadiens are looking to bounce back today. In the first and second periods, the Canadiens didn’t score a goal, but they managed to break the drought with two goals in the third period. All two goals came at even strength. They finished with 25 shots on goal and had 12 turnovers.
Although they didn’t win, Montreal did cover the puck line as the underdogs in the game. The game finished below the over/under line of 6.5 with a combined total of 5 goals.
The Vancouver Canucks Are Coming Off A Win
With a record of 43-18-8, the Canucks are atop the Western Conference and Pacific Division. At home, Vancouver has gone 22-7-4 this season. In games where they have been favored, the Canucks have gone 29-12-5. Over their last ten games, Vancouver has gone 6-4.
For the season, the Canucks have scored 215 goals and allowed 180. In their last five games, Vancouver has gone 3-2, and over their last three games, they have gone 1-2.
At home, the Canucks have a puck line record of 18-15 and an overall puck line record of 37-32. When favored, Vancouver has a puck line record of 19-27, and they have gone 2-8 against the puck line in their last ten games. So far, the Canucks have 27 wins by multiple goals and an average scoring margin of +.8 goals per game.
So far, the team’s average scoring differential at home is at +1.2 goals per game, and they have dropped their last three games against the puck line. In their last ten games at home, Vancouver has a puck line record of 2-8.
Facing the Sabres in their last game, the Canucks won by a score of 3-2. Against the Sabres, the Canucks’ offense netted goals in all three periods. Of Vancouver’s three goals, one were scored while in power play situations. Their game ended with 34 shots on goal and six giveaways.
Vancouver couldn’t cover the puck line despite the straight-up win, as they entered the game as the favorites with a -1.5 goal advantage. The game ended below the over/under line of 6.5, with a combined total of 5 goals.
Montreal Offense Breakdown
The Canadiens come into the game scoring an average of 2.7 goals per game, putting them 27th in the NHL. Regarding shots targeted at the goal per game, they are 27th in the league. The Montreal offense is ranked 19th in power play goals. As for shorthanded goals, they find themselves at 22nd in the NHL.
The Canadiens’ over/under record this season is 34-32-2. Last season, they had 42 games failed to surpass this game’s over/under line of 6.5. Overall, their games averaged 6.6 goals per game.
Canucks Offense Breakdown
In terms of their offensive performance, the Canucks are averaging 3.5 goals per game this season, putting them in the 4th spot in the NHL. When it comes to shots on goal per game, they are ranked 24th in the league. This season, the Canucks are 22-7 when getting more shots on goal than their opponents. And in games with fewer shots on goal, they have a 20-11 record.
For the season, the over/under record of the Canucks’ stands at 36-29-4. They have had 37 games during the season that exceeded the 6.5 over/under line. On average, their games are averaging 6.2 goals per game.
Montreal Team Defense
Defensively, the Canadiens come into the season ranked 7th in goals allowed. Opponents are averaging 32.5 shots per game against Montreal. For the season, they are ranked 24th in shutouts, coming in with 2 shutouts.
Vancouver Team Defense
Vancouver defense takes on the Canadiens ranked 21st in goals allowed. On average, opponents are averaging 29 shots per game against Vancouver. They also are 5th in shutouts, with 6 shutouts.
Canadiens vs Canucks Trends
- When looking at their past ten road matchups, Montreal has an puck line record of 6-4 while averaging 2 per game. The team went 2-8 overall in these games.
- Through their last ten home games, Vancouver has an puck line record of just 2-8. However, their overall record was 5-5 while averaging 3 goals per game.
- Vancouver has done well both straight up and vs the puck line when favored to win the game, going 3-2 SU and 3-2 puck line in their last five games.
- Through their last three games as the favorite, the Canadiens have an puck line record of 2-1 and a straight up mark of 2-1.
Canadiens vs Canucks Prediction
For a moneyline pick, I’m taking the Canadiens to pick up on a win over the Canucks and the road. With the moneyline sitting at +229, I’ll be locking in a bet on the Canadiens straight-up.
Our projections have the Canadiens pulling out a win as the underdog. But if you’re not as bullish as we are on the Canadiens, we’d recommend at least getting a bet down on them to cover the puck line.
For those assessing the over/under line set at 6.5 goals, our expectation is that this game will stay below that mark, and we suggest making a bet on the under.
All odds are courtesy of Action247 Sportsbook. Good luck!!
* All odds are provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.Action247 does not warrant the accuracy of completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within these post.
Last updated:March 21, 2024 Canadiens, Canucks