Many NHL fans thought the Canadiens 2020-2021 playoff run was simply a fluke, and it is becoming increasingly more clear that they were right, as Montreal has been abysmal this year. The Blackhawks have not looked like world-beaters either, but it seems like this Chicago team has far more talent than this edition of the Canadiens. This game also has a ton of injury news on both sides, so it will be important to keep an eye on the news in order to make a well-informed wager.
Chicago Blackhawks Betting Preview:
The Blackhawks are now 9-14-2 following a 6-2 loss to the hands of the red-hot New York Rangers, as inconsistency continues to plague this team. That inconsistency does not lie with just the offensive or defensive players, but rather the goalies who have been a bit all over the place up until this point. They have a respectable duo of Fleury and Lankinen, but if you look at their stats, they still have middling, at best, save percentages and GAA’s. Whoever gets the call for this one will get one of the best matchups against the Canadiens, so this represents a great ‘’get right spot’’.
One of the other things that has hurt the Blackhawks is the slow start to the season for Patrick Kane, who has 21 points in 21 games, but only 7 of those are goals. The Blackhawks will need their future hall of famer to find his scoring touch once again if they want any chance of a playoff berth this season. Another issue for this team, is the guy who was drafted with Kane all the way back in 2008, with Jonathan Toews being nonexistent this season being held goalless through 25 games.
A few of the bright spots have been Alex DeBrincat and Seth Jones, but in a competitive division, they will need more help from their teammates in order to start stringing some wins together.
Montreal Canadiens Betting Preview:
It does seem a bit harsh to say, but it does feel like this is already a lost season for the Habs, as I have just not seen anything that would make me think they will be able to turn this mess around. The Canadiens are 2-10 in their last 12, and they just have not been able to find any consistent offense, and their defense and goaltending simply have not been as good as it was last year. Now a lot of that has to do with Carey Price’s absence, but I don’t think even the harshest critic would have imagined this team being this bad so soon after that playoff run.
Despite not having a great blue-line, Jake Allen has been decent in net with a 3.01 GAA and a .906 save percentage, and he should be the starter for this one which is good news for the home team. In terms of the offense, there really is no one to talk about; it really has been that bad. The Canadiens do not have a player who is even close to a point per game type of guy, so there is not much to point to here until someone emerges as the alpha on this team.
Free Betting Pick
This game has ugly written all over it, and I could see Allen having a nice day against a Blackhawks offense who has also struggled to score. The Blackhawks netminders are also in a great spot here, and I really can see this one being a low pace and low scoring type of game, so I am going to roll with the under here. If you are into prop bets, I would look towards both goalies under their totals, as I could see the bookies being a bit too high on both of the goalies total saves when we consider the pace of this game to be like.
BetUSASports Free Pick:
Chicago Blackhawks vs. Montreal Canadiens NHL Betting Verdict: Under the total+Both goalies under save total
Chicago Blackhawks vs. Montreal Canadiens NHL Exact Score Prediction: 2-1 Chicago
