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Canucks: Betting odds and prediction vs. Canadiens (March 9)

By William Akers

MONTREAL, QC - NOVEMBER 29: Bo Horvat #53 of the Vancouver Canucks and Ben Chiarot #8 of the Montreal Canadiens battle for position during the first period at Centre Bell on November 29, 2021 in Montreal, Canada. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC - NOVEMBER 29: Bo Horvat #53 of the Vancouver Canucks and Ben Chiarot #8 of the Montreal Canadiens battle for position during the first period at Centre Bell on November 29, 2021 in Montreal, Canada. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /
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The Vancouver Canucks will look to continue their good run on Wednesday night when they welcome the red hot Montreal Canadiens to Rogers Arena for an all-Canadian affair. After an impressive 6-4 comeback victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday, the Canucks will feel like they can now make a serious push at securing a coveted playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Currently holding a record of 28-23-6, Vancouver sits 6th in the Pacific Division, and are slotted four points out of the last wild card spot. Since the hiring of Bruce Boudreau, the Canucks are 20-8-4, taking 44 points out of a possible 64. If the team can maintain that form all the way through game 82, they give themselves a real chance of sneaking into the postseason.

The opponent on Wednesday, the Canadiens, are one of the worst teams in the NHL across the entire season, yet have been one of the better teams in hockey over the last couple weeks. Following the dismissal of Dominique Ducharme, Montreal appointed Martin St. Louis as the interim coach to lead the team for the rest of the season. After losing their first three games with St. Louis behind the bench, Montreal are 7-1-0 in their last eight games, quite the turn around after being 8-30-7 under Ducharme.

The Canadiens special teams have let them down massively during this tumultuous season, as their 13.5% power play is 31st in the NHL, whilst the 74.1% penalty kill is 29th in the league. Despite key pieces Carey Price, Shea Weber, and Joel Edmundson yet to play for Montreal this season, the team still possesses some top talents including the likes of Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Josh Anderson.

These two teams met earlier in the season at the Bell Centre back on November 29th, with Vancouver coming out on top by a score of 2-1.

Thatcher Demko should be in net for the Canucks after the team’s mini rest, whilst the Canadiens will likely have Samuel Montembeault between the pipes at the other end of the ice.

The odds for this game are courtesy of WynnBET Sportsbook, the official betting partner of FanSided.

Betting Odds

Moneyline

Canucks -215

Canadiens +175

Goal Total

Over 6.0 goals at -115

Under 6.0 goals at -105

Puckline

Canucks -1.5 at +120

Canadiens +1.5 at -140

Prediction

Given how these two franchises have played over recent times, expect this game to be entertaining, fast-paced, and very close for all 60 minutes. Vancouver is fighting for their playoff hopes as we head down the stretch, whilst Montreal is enjoying the morale boost of a new head coach and are trying to impress a new front office. When it comes to the betting perspective, look for lots of goals in a close game like this. The Canucks last eight games have all had the over hit, whilst the Canadiens have hit the over in four of their last six outings.

I don’t feel comfortable enough to pick a winner in this game, whether it’s on the moneyline or the puckline, however I expect the over to cash in what should be a thrilling matchup.

Pick: Over 6.0 goals at -115

What are your thoughts on this upcoming game between the Canucks and Canadiens? What bets will you be placing on the game? Let us know your thoughts down below in the comment section!

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