Pittsburgh Penguins vs Montreal Canadiens Picks and Predictions November 2nd 2024

Pittsburgh Penguins vs Montreal Canadiens November 2nd 2024

Don’t miss out on the NHL showdown between the Canadiens and Penguins. The game is starting at 7:00 ET on NHLN, and it’s hosted by the Penguins at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. Get ready to place your bets! The odds for this Eastern conference game currently have the Penguins as the -1.5 goal favorite with the over/under line sitting at 6.5 goals.

Montreal vs. Pittsburgh Key Information

Montreal’s record fell to 4-6-1 after a 6-3 loss to the Capitals. The game’s total of 9 goals went well over the pre-game line of 6.5. As the puck line underdogs, the Canadiens failed to cover.

After a scoreless first period, both teams scored 3 goals in the second. The Capitals pulled away with 3 more goals in the third. Three different players scored for Montreal in the loss.

Montreal’s offense was held in check for much of the game, as the Canadiens managed only 15 shots on goal. After a scoreless first period, Cole Caufield netted his 10th goal of the season on a power play. Brendan Gallagher followed with his 4th goal, and Nick Suzuki added his 4th later in the second period.

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Lane Hutson contributed two assists, bringing his season total to 7. Nick Suzuki also picked up his 9th assist on Caufield’s power-play goal. The Canadiens recorded 24 giveaways in the game.

Defensively, the Canadiens struggled late, giving up three third-period goals to the Capitals, which proved to be the difference. Cayden Primeau finished with 28 saves and a save percentage of 82.4%. Montreal’s defense also recorded 3 takeaways and 23 hits.

The Penguins improved to 4-7-1 with a 2-1 overtime win against the Ducks. Pittsburgh entered the game as -1.5 goal favorites, failing to cover the puck line. The total was set at 6.5 goals, but the combined score of 3 fell well short of that mark.

Anaheim took the lead at 4:10 in the first period, but Sidney Crosby scored twice for the Penguins, tying the game at 18:13 in the third period and netting the winner 2:35 into overtime.

In their 2-1 overtime win over the Ducks, the Penguins fired 45 shots on goal but only found the net twice. Sidney Crosby scored both goals, including his 2nd and 3rd of the season. Pittsburgh was held scoreless until the 18:13 mark of the 3rd period before Crosby tied it up and later scored the game-winner in overtime.

The Penguins recorded 11 giveaways and were unable to capitalize on any power play opportunities. Matt Grzelcyk and Erik Karlsson each picked up their 6th assist of the season, with Cody Glass adding his 4th on Crosby’s overtime goal.

Pittsburgh’s defense gave up the first goal at 15:50 in the first period, but they didn’t allow another for the rest of the game, leading to a 2-1 overtime win. Alex Nedeljkovic made 22 saves with a 95.7% save percentage, and the Penguins’ defense added 2 takeaways and 17 hits.

When making a moneyline pick, my choice is the Canadiens to come out with a win against the Penguins while playing on the road. Considering the moneyline odds at +153, I’m placing my bet on the Canadiens to win outright.

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.

With an over/under line sitting at 6.5 goals, we like this game to surpass that mark and recommend getting a bet down on the over.

Penguins Look for Consecutive Wins as They Host Canadiens

The Pittsburgh Penguins are hoping to secure back-to-back wins for just the second time this season as they welcome the Montreal Canadiens to PPG Paints Arena on Saturday night. Following a gritty 2-1 overtime victory against the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday, the Penguins aim to build momentum and tighten up their defensive game.

Penguins’ Defensive Shift Shows Promise

Thursday’s victory marked a turning point for the Penguins, who snapped a six-game winless streak (0-5-1) during which they had been heavily outscored. Captain Sidney Crosby was the hero, scoring twice, including the game-winner in overtime. The 36-year-old Crosby has been a consistent force, contributing three goals and nine assists over 12 games.

Head coach Mike Sullivan praised his team’s effort, emphasizing the defensive adjustments they made to shut down Anaheim. “I thought (Thursday) was one of our more complete games,” Sullivan said.

“We’re not compromising our offense by playing a more calculated game. We’re not going to score our way to success; we’re going to defend our way to success.”

Goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic, who recorded 22 saves on Thursday, earned his first win of the season and could be back in the net for Saturday’s matchup. Nedeljkovic has posted a 3.18 goals-against average and an .890 save percentage in his four starts this season.

The Penguins have relied heavily on veterans, including Evgeni Malkin, who leads the team with 14 points (three goals, 11 assists). Forward Rickard Rakell has also contributed six goals, making him the team’s top goal-scorer through 12 games.

Canadiens’ Road Trip Comes Amid Defensive Struggles

The Canadiens arrive in Pittsburgh looking to bounce back from a 6-3 loss to the Washington Capitals on Thursday. The defeat exposed defensive gaps that Montreal must address as they aim to avoid a third consecutive loss.

Forward Cole Caufield has been a bright spot, scoring in four straight games and tallying six goals in his last six outings. Captain Nick Suzuki also continues to produce, adding a goal and an assist in Washington to bring his season totals to nine assists and 13 points. However, Canadiens players are focused on shoring up their defense.

“We’re going through some things right now,” Brendan Gallagher acknowledged. “We lost a game we felt like we handed to them.”

Montreal’s defense has recently benefited from the return of Kaiden Guhle, who played his first game back on Thursday after missing five games due to an upper-body injury. Despite his return, the Canadiens continue to struggle, particularly with turnovers that have cost them key opportunities.

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In goal, Sam Montembeault, who is likely to start on Saturday, has a 3-4-0 record with a .891 save percentage and a 3.67 goals-against average. Facing a Penguins team that bested them 6-3 in their previous meeting on October 14, Montembeault will need to be sharp to keep Pittsburgh’s offense in check.

Key Matchup: Scoring Stars vs. Defensive Strategies

Saturday’s game will be a test of the Penguins’ ability to stick with their newly implemented defensive structure, while Montreal aims to reduce costly mistakes. Crosby and Caufield both come into the game with hot scoring hands, and their performances could prove decisive in a tightly contested matchup.

The Penguins and Canadiens conclude their season series in Montreal on December 12.