The Pittsburgh Penguins host the Montreal Canadiens at PPG Paints Arena on Saturday night looking to get a win before the All-Star break. Pittsburgh has lost three straight games but the Penguins are big favorites on the NHL odds board.
The Habs are coming off a 4-3 win over Patrick Roy’s Islanders at home. That victory ended a three-game skid and gave Montreal a 3-3-0 record in its last six games.
Can the Penguins show some life before the break? Read on for our Canadiens vs. Penguins NHL picks and predictions on Saturday, January 27th.
Canadiens vs Penguins odds
Canadiens vs Penguins predictions
The Montreal Canadiens and Pittsburgh Penguins are two teams at similar spots in the standings despite having very different expectations this season. Montreal is in the midst of a rebuild, while Pittsburgh is taking one last run at the Cup with its aging core.
Despite the Penguins adding Erik Karlsson to their stable of stars this offseason, Pittsburgh is just 21-17-6 this year and 11-8-2 at home. Meanwhile, Montreal has worked its way to a 20-21-7 record, including 10-9-4 on the road.
The Canadiens have been able to sneak up on some teams this season with wins against the Devils, Avalanche, and Rangers in their past 10 games. While they’re definitely not in the playoff picture, Montreal doesn’t take many nights off. Martin St. Louis gets his guys ready to go, from the veterans to the rookies.
One Canadiens veteran stepping up this season is center Sean Monahan.
Montreal received a first-round pick for taking on Monahan’s $6.375 million cap hit back in August of 2022. Fast forward 18 months and the Canadiens may be able to receive a first pick for Monahan’s services after signing him to a one-year, $1.985 million deal.
Monahan is third on the Canadiens with 34 points (13 goals, 21 assists) this season. The former Flame has caught fire recently with 10 points (two goals, eight assists) in his last six games, including a three-point night on Thursday against the Islanders. The veteran forward has recorded a point in seven of his last 10 games as well.
Monahan is only -120 to record a point tonight in Pittsburgh, with the Penguins on the second half of a back-to-back.
My best bet: Sean Monahan to record a point (-125 at SIA)
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Canadiens vs Penguins same-game parlay
Canadiens +1.5
Under 7.5
The Canadiens and Penguins have met once already this season with the Pens prevailing 4-3 in a shootout back on December 13th. Our same-game parlay would’ve hit in that game and it has a great chance of hitting tonight as well.
The Penguins are struggling right now with losses in three straight games and five of their past six. It doesn’t help the fact that they’ll be playing on no days rest while the Canadiens were off on Friday night.
Montreal has 20 wins this season plus 12 one-goal losses. The Habs have been able to keep games close and on the lower-scoring side of things.
Pittsburgh should want to play a slower game with some tired legs on Saturday night. Back the Canadiens to keep a low-scoring game closer in Pittsburgh.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Canadiens vs Penguins moneyline and Over/Under analysis
The Canadiens odds are between +180 and +195 as road underdogs as of Friday night. The Penguins are big home favorites at as high as -250 while you can get -225 at FanDuel.
This Canadiens line could come down a bit with the Penguins on the second half of a back-to-back set. It’s important to line shop in instances like this one — well, it’s always important to line shop.
The total is set at 6.5 at most books with the Over 6.5 (-104) and Under 6.5 (-115).
Jake Allen (5-9-2, 3.46 GAA, .900 SV%) is confirmed to start for Montreal, with Tristan Jarry (12-14-4, 2.56 GAA, .913 SV%) very likely to get the nod for Pittsburgh, so there shouldn’t be too much line movement due to goalie news on Saturday.
Canadiens vs Penguins betting trend to know
The Montreal Canadiens have hit the 1P moneyline in 32 of their last 82 games (+12.75 Units / 15% ROI). Find more NHL betting trends for Canadiens vs. Penguins.
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Canadiens vs Penguins game info
| Location: | PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, PA |
| Date: | Saturday, January 27, 2024 |
| Puck drop: | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | CBC, SN-PIT |
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