Boston Bruins vs Montréal Canadiens Picks and Predictions December 1st 2024

The Canadiens and Bruins are set to face off at 3:00 ET on ESPN+. The Bruins will host the game at TD Garden in Boston, MA. The over/under for this matchup is currently set at 5.5 goals and the Bruins are the -1.5 favorite to win at home vs. the Canadiens.

Montreal vs. Boston Key Information

• Teams: Canadiens at Bruins
• Where: TD Garden Boston
• Date: Sunday, December 1st
• Betting Odds BOS -234 | MON +194 O/U 5.5

The Canadiens Can Win If…

Montreal’s latest game was a 3-1 road loss to the Penguins, bringing their record to 8-12-3. The Canadiens were underdogs on the puck line, and the total was set at 6.5 goals, with the combined score reaching just 4.

All of the Canadiens’ goals came in the 3rd period, after the Penguins had already scored twice. Montreal’s only goal was by Christian Dvorak at 14:28 in the 3rd, before the Penguins added an empty-netter to seal the game.

Montreal’s offense struggled in their 3-1 loss to Pittsburgh, managing just one goal. Christian Dvorak netted his first goal of the season at 14:28 in the third period. The Canadiens took 26 shots on goal but were unable to convert on any of their 20 giveaways.

Emil Heineman picked up his first assist of the season on Dvorak’s goal, while Juraj Slafkovsky added his seventh assist. Montreal was held scoreless through the first two periods before finally getting on the board in the third.

Montreal’s defense will look to bounce back after giving up three goals to Pittsburgh, including two from Sidney Crosby and an empty-netter late in the 3rd period. Goalie Sam Montembeault made 21 saves with a 91.3% save percentage, while the Canadiens’ defense added 4 takeaways and 28 hits.

• Over their last three regular season games, the Canadiens have gone 1-2 straight up. Across this span, their puck line record sits at 3-0 to go along with an over-under mark of 2-1.
• Across Montreal’s last ten regular season games, their record sits at 4-6. In these contests, the team went just 6-4 against the spread, while going 5-5 on the over-under.

The Bruins Can Win If…

Boston moved to 11-11-3 with a 2-0 road win over the Kraken. The Bruins covered the puck line as -1.5 goal favorites, and the total of 6 goals was never in danger, with the combined score reaching just 2 goals.

Both of Boston’s goals came in the first period, with Justin Brazeau scoring at 16:37 and Charlie Coyle adding another at 10:03. The Bruins’ defense held Seattle scoreless, with Jeremy Swayman stopping all 23 shots he faced.

Boston’s offense struck early in their 2-0 win over the Kraken, with both goals coming in the first period. Justin Brazeau netted his fifth goal of the season, while Charlie Coyle followed with his second, which came on a power play.

The Bruins fired 33 shots on goal but also had 16 giveaways. Coyle took four shots on goal, and Brazeau had two.

Boston’s defense was stellar in their last game, shutting out the Kraken 2-0. Jeremy Swayman made 23 saves with a 100% save percentage, while the Bruins’ defense added 5 takeaways and 15 hits.

• Through their last three regular season contests, Boston has a record of 1-2. In these matchups, they ended with an puck line record of 1-2 and an over-under mark of 1-2.
• Boston has put together a record of 4-6 in their last ten games (regular season). The team’s record vs the puck line was just 1-9, in addition to an over-under mark of 2-7-1.

The Lean

For a moneyline bet, I’m backing the Canadiens to secure a victory over the Bruins on the road. With the moneyline currently set at +194, I’m locking in my bet on the Canadiens straight-up.

If you’re looking to get a bet down on this matchup, we foresee the Canadiens winning the underdog. However, if you’re not as confident in the Canadiens straight-up, we’d still recommend placing a bet on them to cover the puck line.

When considering the over/under line, which is currently at 5.5 goals, we believe that this game will go over that threshold, and we recommend wagering on the over.

A Historic Celebration for the Bruins

The Boston Bruins, the NHL’s oldest U.S.-based franchise, will commemorate their 100th anniversary on Sunday afternoon in a Centennial Game against their long-standing rivals, the Montreal Canadiens. This historic matchup takes place exactly 100 years after the Bruins’ first-ever game, a 2-1 victory over the Montreal Maroons on Dec. 3, 1924.

The pre-game festivities will feature iconic alumni such as Ray Bourque, Patrice Bergeron, Johnny Bucyk, and Willie O’Ree, underscoring the team’s rich legacy. Current Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman spoke about the privilege of playing in this momentous game:

“It’s an honor to put this jersey on every single game, and to have those guys in the building — we’ve got to do it right,” Swayman said. “They made this logo what it is before us.”

Bruins Eye Offensive Rebound

The Bruins (15-3-3) will look to bounce back after a narrow 2-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday. Despite Charlie Coyle scoring just 1:24 into the game, Boston couldn’t capitalize further, extending their offensive struggles at TD Garden, where they haven’t scored more than two goals in six consecutive home games.

The scoring drought is particularly glaring in the third period. The Bruins haven’t tallied a goal in the final frame at home since their Oct. 10 season opener, a 6-4 win over the Canadiens.

Interim coach Joe Sacco acknowledged the need for a sharper execution:

“Right now, the puck’s not finding its way in the net,” Sacco said. “You have to execute at a higher level and finish off your plays.”

Canadiens Seek Redemption

The Canadiens (11-10-2) arrive in Boston following a heartbreaking 4-3 loss to the New York Rangers on Saturday. A last-minute power-play goal was the difference, frustrating head coach Martin St. Louis and his players.

Captain Nick Suzuki, who scored the tying goal late in the third period, was critical of the outcome but optimistic about moving forward:

“I thought we deserved better,” Suzuki said. “Special teams were the big difference. We’ll clean it up (for Sunday).”

Cole Caufield extended his point streak to three games with a goal and an assist, while Mike Matheson returned from a lower-body injury to contribute a goal. Nine of Caufield’s 14 goals this season have come on the road, making him a threat against Boston’s defense.

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Key Matchups to Watch

Bruins’ Defense vs. Caufield and Suzuki

Boston’s defense will need to contain Caufield, who has been particularly effective on the road, and Suzuki, whose playmaking ability keeps Montreal competitive in tight games.

Goaltending Duel

Swayman is likely to get the nod for Boston, while Cayden Primeau, a Northeastern University alum, is expected to start for Montreal after Sam Montembeault’s Saturday effort.

Special Teams Battle

The Bruins’ power play will look to exploit Montreal’s penalty kill, which struggled against the Rangers. Conversely, Boston’s penalty kill must remain vigilant against the Canadiens’ road power-play threats.

Prediction

With the emotional lift of their Centennial Game and a home crowd eager to celebrate a century of Bruins hockey, Boston is poised to deliver a memorable performance. Montreal’s recent struggles on special teams could provide Boston with the edge they need to break their offensive drought at home.

Final Score Prediction: Bruins 4, Canadiens 2

This Centennial Game promises to be a fitting tribute to the Bruins’ storied history and an exciting chapter in their enduring rivalry with the Canadiens.