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Game Preview Montreal Canadiens @ Pittsburgh Penguins
The Montreal Canadiens travel to PPG Paints Arena on December 21 to face the Pittsburgh Penguins in an Eastern Conference matchup between two teams trending in different directions. While Montreal continues its rebuilding process, Pittsburgh is trying to squeeze one more playoff run out of its veteran core.
Montreal has played spoiler in recent weeks, upsetting a few contending teams with fast starts and opportunistic offense. Pittsburgh, meanwhile, has leaned heavily on Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin to carry the scoring load, but goaltending and depth remain question marks.
With both teams in very different stages of their competitive windows, this game presents a classic youth-versus-experience dynamic. It’s also an important betting spot, with value across both the puck line and totals markets.
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Odds and Key Information
The Penguins opened as -175 favorites at home. The Canadiens sit as underdogs in the +150 to +160 range. The total opened at 6.0 goals, with early action leaning toward the over.
For current lines and sharp betting movement, check the NHL odds section.
Montreal Canadiens Outlook
The Canadiens continue to show flashes of promise as their young roster gains experience. Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Juraj Slafkovsky lead the charge offensively, but defensive coverage and special teams remain glaring issues.
Montreal ranks in the bottom third of the league in goals allowed and penalty kill percentage. Their goaltending duo of Jake Allen and Samuel Montembeault has delivered some big performances, but consistency has been elusive.
On the road, the Canadiens are under .500 and have given up over 3.5 goals per game. Their power play has improved slightly but still lacks efficiency against top-tier penalty kills. Staying out of the box and maintaining discipline will be key against a veteran Pittsburgh squad.
Check how Montreal’s outlook fits into the NHL Atlantic Division Odds Predictions article.
Pittsburgh Penguins Outlook
The Penguins are clinging to playoff contention behind their aging—but still effective—core. Sidney Crosby continues to play at a high level, and Kris Letang and Erik Karlsson lead a blue line that thrives on puck movement.
Jake Guentzel and Bryan Rust provide additional offensive depth, while goaltending has been a mix of average starts from Tristan Jarry and Casey DeSmith. Pittsburgh ranks near league average in most major categories but has struggled to close out games in the third period.
The Penguins are solid at home, where they’ve posted a winning record thanks to early scoring and strong faceoff numbers. However, their penalty kill is vulnerable against teams that generate east-west movement on the power play.
Track their playoff outlook in the Stanley Cup Odds Predictions hub.
Key Matchup
Montreal’s speed in transition versus Pittsburgh’s veteran positioning and cycle game will define this matchup. The Canadiens will look to attack off turnovers and generate breakaways through the neutral zone. If the Penguins control possession and keep the game below the dots, they’ll wear Montreal down over three periods.
Montreal’s younger defensemen must avoid puck-watching and stay disciplined on their assignments. Pittsburgh’s veteran forwards excel at finding soft spots in coverage and exploiting mistakes.
Learn more about how to read matchup impacts in the Concise Guide to Hockey Betting.
Betting Trends
The Canadiens are 3-7 in their last 10 road games and have hit the over in six of their last eight overall. Montreal is just 2-5 in the last seven meetings with Pittsburgh.
The Penguins are 4-1 in their last five home games and 6-2 in their last eight as a favorite. The under has hit in four of their last five at PPG Paints Arena.
Dive into how trends shape line decisions using the Alternate Total Points breakdown.
Predictions
Pittsburgh holds the edge in experience, goaltending, and special teams, all of which carry weight in matchups like this. Montreal has the talent to keep things interesting but is prone to defensive lapses that Pittsburgh is well-equipped to exploit.
If Crosby’s line gets favorable matchups and the Penguins limit turnovers, they should control play in the offensive zone and generate enough scoring chances to cover.
Final score prediction: Pittsburgh Penguins 4, Montreal Canadiens 2
Best bet: Penguins -1.5
Total lean: Over 6.0
For more expert projections, visit the NHL expert betting guide.
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