Edmonton Oilers vs Montreal Canadiens Betting Picks

Edmonton is on a 6-3 run after winning at Toronto last night, 6-3. They've won their last three road games by a 14-4 count. The offense is third in the NHL in goals scored (3.41 per game) and on the power play. The Canadiens also played last night, losing at the Rangers, 5-4, part of a 3-5 slide. Montreal has a losing home record. The defense is 26th in penalty killing, 31st in goals given up (3.55 per game), and last in save percentage (.876). The Oilers have won four of the last five meetings. Play Edmonton. 

More commitment to team defense, new players learning their roles, and slow starts from superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl have made the Oilers an UNDER team right now. Edmonton ranks a surprisingly low 27th in scoring. The Oilers are averaging 26 shots on goal, down 17% from last season. McDavid has yet to score at five-on-five, and Draisaitl has only one goal when teams are at full strength. The UNDER is 4-1-1 in the Oilers' last six games following a 3-2 overtime winner against Ottawa this past Tuesday. Edmonton is a respectable 13th defensively while giving up the second-fewest shots. Montreal ranks 11th defensively after edging Calgary, 2-1 in overtime, on Wednesday. The Canadians are unlikely to want to push tempo against the fast-skating Oilers, especially playing without rest. Montreal has given up two or fewer goals in five of its last seven games. This series has a recent UNDER bias, too. The last four games between the two teams have all gone UNDER. Montreal blanked Edmonton, 3-0, and the Oilers defeated the Canadiens, 3-2 in overtime, in last season's games. Take the UNDER.

Edmonton is on a 3-0-1 run, which allows 12 goals. They're 10-6-2 UNDER the total this season. The offense is 21st in goals scored, 22nd on the power play, and 31st in shooting percentage (8.3%). The Oilers are on a 20-12-3 run UNDER, including 12-4-1 UNDER the total on the road. Over the last nine games, Montreal's offense has averaged 2.66 goals, losing seven times. The offense is ranked 19th in goals scored, while the defense is 13th in penalty killing. Goalie Sam Montembeault has played in each of Montreal's last seven games with six starts and a 2.59 goals-against average in his previous seven outings. The Canadiens are on a 5-2 run UNDER the total. Take Edmonton/Montreal UNDER the total. 

The Edmonton Oilers went on a rampage in December and January where they were the hottest team in hockey going 20-3. That has kind of skewed the value of this team in the betting market. They are otherwise 20-22 and a losing team outside of the hot stretch. The odds for this game does not reflect that, and they have dropped three of their last five games as well. This line represents the biggest dog line of the season for the Habs. Montreal has had success vs. a top team that outscores their opponent by 0.65 goals per game or more over the second-half of the season, where they are 73-93, and up +226 units in those games. Make the play on Montreal.