Navigate

2020 NHL Playoffs: Montreal Canadiens vs Pittsburgh Penguins Odds & Series Pick

by |

Whether you’re new to sports betting or a betting pro, our How To Bet and  Sports Betting Strategy and Advice pages are for you. You can get started with our How To Section — including How to Make an Online Sports Bet â€” or head to more advanced strategy — like How to Set and Maintain Your Sports Betting Budget â€” to learn more.

The Montreal Canadiens and Pittsburgh Penguins appears to be one of the qualifying round’s biggest mismatches. While the Canadiens were one of the last teams in with just 71 points, the Penguins are fifth in the Eastern Conference with 86. About the only edge Montreal has is goaltender Carey Price, who has carried the club in the past. He’ll need to stand on his head for one of the opening round’s biggest underdogs to advance.

Claim your FREE bet up to $500 at FanDuel Sportsbook >>

Montreal Canadiens vs Pittsburgh Penguins

Odds (via FanDuel Sportsbook): Canadiens +166, Penguins -205

Canadiens Outlook

There’s not a lot to like about the Canadiens in this spot. While the league decided to have 12 teams make the cut for the playoff race, that was mostly because of the deeper Western Conference. The 12th-seeded Chicago Blackhawks are six points out of a playoff spot; the Canadiens are 10 points out in the East.

At any rate, the Habs will need Carey Price to deliver, because the rest of the team doesn’t have a ton going for it. They do have some balance on offense, but their leading goal scorers (Tomas Tatar and Brendan Gallagher) each have 22 goals. Tatar is their only player with more than 47 points. They aren’t imposing fear in anyone.

While Price has to lead the way, he’s in the midst of a fairly subpar season. Only once in the last 11 seasons has he had a GAA as high as the 2.79 he’s sporting. His .909 save percentage is not going to cut it.

The good news for the Habs is that the Pens were in a funk going into the break. The had lost eight of their final 11 games, so maybe that’s a sign of greater issues that make them vulnerable.

Penguins Outlook

The Penguins were one of the big beneficiaries from the suspension of play, as they’ll get Jake Guentzel back in the lineup. He posted 43 points in 39 games this season and was among the league leaders before undergoing shoulder surgery in December. Guentzel probably wouldn’t have played otherwise, but he’ll slide right back into the top line next to Sidney Crosby following the extended layoff. This unit, including Evgeni Malkin, Bryan Rust, and Patrick Marleau, is going to be a handful for the Habs. The Pens have four players who averaged at least one point per game; the Habs have none.

The Pens’ questions are in net. Matt Murray struggled this season, posting a lofty 2.87 GAA and an unacceptable save percentage of .899. That’s why the team switched to Tristan Jarry, who registered a .921 save percentage this season. He’s generally inexperienced in the playoffs, though, so the Penguins will have to go back to Murray if Jarry stumbles. Given the former Stanley Cup winner’s recent troubles, this would present a serious problem for the Pens.

Conclusion

Keep an eye on the Max Domi situation. He’s a Type-1 diabetic who might not suit up given the risk with COVID-19. If he’s out, that makes the Habs thin down the middle and takes away one of their best scorers.

Any way you slice it, I can’t see the Canadiens pushing the Penguins here. Pittsburgh’s forwards gives them a huge edge, and they should be able to outscore the Habs on a nightly basis. I’ll probably look at a number of overs in these games, but for the series, play the Penguins. They’re one of the best bets in the opening round.

Pick: Penguins In 3

View the top deposit bonuses and promo codes for each sportsbook >>

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | RadioPublic | Breaker | Castbox | Pocket Casts

Dave Golokhov is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Dave, check out his archive and follow him @davegolokhov.