Can Montreal put up more of a fight this time around? Or will they continue to plunge deeper into the bowels of the Eastern Conference? Read on as we take a closer look at this intriguing showdown. If you’re craving for more hockey action, then check out our complete preview for the Blackhawks vs. Rangers.
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Montreal Canadiens vs. Colorado Avalanche Preview
Where: Pepsi Center, Denver
When: Wednesday, February 17, 8:00 PM ET
Line: Montreal Canadiens (+110) at Colorado Avalanche (-130); total 5.5 – view all NHL lines
Betting on the Montreal Canadiens (27-26-4)
The Montreal Canadiens started off on the right foot, winning their first nine games this season. But they’re just 8-22-1 since December 3 and out of playoff contention in the Eastern Confernece. The Habs hit a new low, allowing a season high six goals in each of their last two games (both losses).
The Habs’ pair of goalies hasn’t been too good. Ben Scrivens was pulled after giving up three goals on eight shots at Buffalo on Friday. Rookie Mike Condon is 0-5 with a 3.93 GAA in his last five. With the Habs struggling to keep their opponents from scoring, then they’ll need all the help they can get on offense.
Max Pacioretty, who leads the team with 20 goals, is a disappointing minus-14 in the last 14 games. Brendan Gallagher, who’s second on the team with 15 goals, has been hot lately with three goals and two assists in his last five.
Helping out the offense is blue liner P.K. Subban. Montreal’s stellar defenseman had been on a six-game point streak (one goal and six assists) before being shut out against Arizona on Monday. But getting Subban embroiled in the offense could only open up the Habs’ defense against Colorado’s solid attackers.
The total has gone over in four of the last six meetings between Montreal and Colorado.
Betting on the Colorado Avalanche (29-6-4)
The Colorado Avalanche are in need of a victory. They’ve lost five of their last seven, including four straight at home. Most recently, the Avs were blown out 4-1 at Buffalo on Sunday. Nathan MacKinnon and Matt Duchene were blanked Sunday. They’ll be hard-pressed to contribute to their team this time around when they welcome Montreal to Pepsi Center.
MacKinnon and Duchene are tied with 44 points on the team. Duchene has scored a team-high 25 goals, while MacKinnon has been more of a setup man with 25 assists. Expect the two to bring the pressure to the Montreal net after each tallying three points in the 6-1 victory at Bell Centre earlier this season. While the two will certainly lead the Avs’ offense, they’re just a couple of parts of the equation.
Carl Soderberg is solid with 30 assists this season. Meanwhile left winger Gabriel Landeskog and right winger Jarome Iginla solidify the wings with 14 and 15 goals respectively. The Avs are loaded with offensive talent, who could each have big games against a reeling defense.
It remains to be seen if goalie Semyon Varlamov will be between the pipes for Colorado. He was pulled after allowing goals on the first two shots he face against Buffalo. He’s given up seven goals in his last two home games, both losses. Reto Berra, who limited Montreal to a single goal on November 14,is still on injured reserve due to an ankle issue.
Writer’s Prediction
Montreal (+110) bounces back to hand the Avs their fifth straight home loss.
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