The Montreal Canadiens (20-12-6) and Florida Panthers (21-15-2) tussle in a Tuesday battle at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida. The Habs and Panthers will drop the puck on their first meeting of the season at 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NHL odds around the Canadiens vs. Panthers odds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
2024-25 season series: Canadiens won 4-0
Montreal is continuing a 7-game road swing that has thus far seen the club log a win and 2 shootout losses. In the third of those games Sunday, the +102 Canadiens lost a 5-4 (Over 7) shootout at the Tampa Bay Lighting. The Habs have thus far scored 13 goals on the road trip; they have averaged a robust 4.20 goals per game across their last 5 contests on road ice.
The Panthers, who are 2 points behind the Canadiens in the Atlantic Division standings, have also found a scoring touch of late. Over their last 12 games, they have scored 3.92 goals per game (GPG). Florida is playing on a second straight night: on Monday, the +146 Panthers defeated the Washington Capitals 5-3 (Over 5.5). C Sam Reinhart scored 2 goals and had an assist. Reinhart has scored multiple points in 5 games since Dec. 13.
Canadiens at Panthers odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 3:24 p.m. ET.
Moneyline (ML): Canadiens +105 (bet $100 to win $105) | Panthers -130 (bet $130 to win $100)Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Canadiens +1.5 (-220) | Panthers -1.5 (+180)Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)Canadiens at Panthers projected goalies
Sam Montembeault (5-6-1, 3.65 GAA, .857 SV%) vs. Daniil Tarasov (4-6-1, 2.97 GAA, .900 SV%)
Montembeault would be making his first NHL start since he was loaned to AHL Laval on Dec. 16 for a conditioning assignment after a rocky start to the season.
Tarasov is G Sergei Bobrovsky’s backup and has only played 4 games this month. His last outing was Dec. 20 when he yielded 5 goals to the St. Louis Blues. Tarasov owns an .885 SV% across his last 5 games.
Canadiens at Panthers picks and predictionsPrediction
Panthers 4, Canadiens 2
The Panthers have played back-to-back games at home once before this season. In the second contest, they responded well and clocked a 4-1 triumph over a good New York Islanders club. Florida has played a collection of solid foes in going 5-2-0 across its last 7 at home.
Tarasov has a history of significantly better play on home ice (.907 SV% this season, .911 SV% career), and he’s facing a Montreal offense that expected-goal analysis pegs as being a bit too far over its skis with its production.
In general, the Canadiens do not have the scoring profile (127 goals for, 129 goals against) or advanced metrics to support a .605 point percentage).
BACK THE PANTHERS (-130).
No interest; PASS.
The Under is 3-1 across the last 4 series meetings.
The prospective goalie matchup gives us a high total in this one. And with expected-goal analysis being bearish on the Montreal offense and bullish on the Florida defense, this figure is beatable on the contrarian side.
The UNDER 6.5 (-115) has value.
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