Pittsburgh Penguins (11-12-3) vs. Montreal Canadiens (12-12-3)
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Montreal Canadiens 12/13/23 – As the NHL regular season heats up, an intriguing matchup awaits fans and bettors alike on Wednesday, December 13, 2023, when the Pittsburgh Penguins face off against the Montreal Canadiens. With nearly identical records, both teams vie to tip the balance in their favor. This contest, set in the iconic Bell Centre and broadcasted on ESPN+, promises to be a nail-biter. For those seeking free hockey tips, this game offers a wealth of insights into the dynamics of mid-season NHL play.
The Penguins offense runs through their star trio of Jake Guentzel, Sidney Crosby, and Evgeni Malkin. Guentzel leads the team with 29 points, while Crosby and Malkin have 27 and 22 points respectively. Their scoring prowess matches up well against a Canadiens defense that has allowed the 6th most goals in the league. However, the Penguins blue line and goaltending have not fared much better, ranking 5th worst in goals against.
Montreal features a balanced offensive attack led by centers Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield. Suzuki leads the team with 22 points, while Caufield has chipped in 20 points. The Canadiens power play operates at 23.3%, 10th best in the NHL, which could exploit the Penguins penalty kill that kills off just 76.9% of power plays. Montreal may need to rely on its offense considering starting goalie Jake Allen is injured. Backup Sam Montembeault holds a .912 save percentage in 12 starts.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Montreal Canadiens 12/13/23 Game Info
| When: | Wednesday, December 13, 2023, at 7:00 PM ET |
| Where: | Bell Centre |
| TV: | ESPN+ |
| Stream: | NHL.TV |
Goaltender Tristan Jarry vs. Goaltender Sam Montembeault
Tristan Jarry entered this season as the Penguins’ unquestioned starter after posting a 34-18-6 record last year along with a 2.42 GAA and .919 save percentage. However, he has taken a major step back in the first half of this year. Through 20 starts, Jarry has managed just 8 wins alongside a 2.48 GAA and .918 save percentage. A save percentage hovering around .918 typically indicates strong play, but Jarry has done it behind a Pittsburgh defense allowing the 5th most shots per game. Advanced metrics suggest Jarry has actually been fortunate to post the numbers he has. He faces 33.2 shots per start, yet has an expected save percentage of just .908 according to Evolving Hockey. That ranks 36th out of 46 goalies with 10+ starts, signaling Jarry’s performance has been below average.
With Jake Allen sidelined by a lower-body injury, the Canadiens turn to the duo of Sam Montembeault and Cayden Primeau in net. Montembault gets the starting nod Wednesday after an up-and-down showing in 12 games played. His .912 save percentage tops Primeau’s .891 mark, but still indicates Montembeault has been below average. Unlike Jarry though, the Canadiens netminder has exceeded expectations this season. With a 90.4% save percentage on high-danger shots, Montembeault profiles more as an average, replacement-level goalie so far. If Montembeault can deliver another steady performance, Montreal’s offense may give him enough support to upset the Penguins. However, the Canadiens still sorely miss stabilizing veteran goaltender between the pipes.
NHL Odds/Point Spread: TBD, Total Odds: TBD
As the betting lines are yet to be determined, bettors are advised to keep a close eye on the odds as they emerge. The performance trends of both teams suggest a potentially tight spread. Insights and recommendations will become clearer once the odds are released, providing a more informed basis for betting decisions.
Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Trends
The Penguins have gone 1-4 straight up and 1-4 against the spread over their last five contests. Six of their eight road games have gone over the posted total, while totals have gone over just five times in 12 home games. Pittsburgh allows the 5th most goals per game at 3.58.
Montreal Canadiens Betting Trends
Montreal is 2-3 straight up in its last five, beating Ottawa and Calgary at home. The Canadiens are 3-2 against the spread over that stretch. Eight of Montreal’s last 15 home games have exceeded the total goals line. The Canadiens score 3.22 goals per game while allowing 3.56 goals against per contest.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Montreal Canadiens 12/13/23 Betting Picks
Considering the analysis and betting trends, this game appears to be a closely contested affair. The Penguins, despite their offensive strengths, face challenges in consistency, while the Canadiens, with a more balanced approach, might leverage their home advantage.
In choosing the better pick, one must weigh the offensive capabilities of the Penguins against the defensive resilience of the Canadiens. Prop bets and the over/under also offer intriguing options, considering the offensive trends of both teams. For those seeking a handicapper’s expert tips, monitoring the goalie performance and any line-up changes leading up to the game could provide critical insights.
Free Pick and Prediction: Montreal Canadiens 3, Pittsburgh Penguins 2.