NHL Predictions – Expert Picks on Monday, December 9:
A quiet night on the ice tonight with just three games on the schedule in advance of eleven on Tuesday. In Buffalo, we know that one of these teams will snap their losing streak. The Sabres have lost six straight, and the Wings have lost five in a row, all by one goal. In Montreal, Jacob Trouba will debut for the Anaheim Ducks as Anaheim will look to snap a two-game losing streak. The Ducks are the only team in the NHL yet to trail on the road after the opening 20 minutes (6-0-4). The Canadiens are a home favorite for the second time this season. Montreal is 9-2 in their last 11 home games as a favorite. Enjoy the three games tonight. Here are my NHL predictions.
Detroit Red Wings at Buffalo Sabres (-140, 6)
7:00 p.m. ET
Two teams in search of a win meet in Buffalo tonight. The Red Wings have lost five consecutive games (all by one goal, 2 in OT), and the Sabres have done them one better, dropping six straight (2 in OT). This is the third meeting of the season between these two Atlantic Division rivals, and the home team won the two previous meetings. Buffalo has led both games after the opening 20 minutes and is 9-2-4 on home ice for the season in covering the first-period Money Line. Even during their six-game losing streak, the Sabres are 4-1-1 after the opening 20 minutes. The Wings led at the end of the first period just four times in 14 games away from Little Caesars Arena and just once during their current five-game losing streak.
Seven of the last ten contests between the two have gone Over the betting total, including all five in Buffalo (8,10,8,9,11 goals).
Detroit’s Lucas Raymond has been on fire, scoring eight goals in his last nine games.
NHL Predictions: Buffalo Sabres 1st period ML (-135) – 1 unit
Buffalo Sabres/Detroit Red Wings Over 6 (-120) – 1 unit
Lucas Raymond anytime goal (+175) – ¼ unit
Anaheim Ducks at Montreal Canadiens (-145, 6)
7:30 p.m. ET
Tonight marks the debut of Jacob Trouba with the Anaheim Ducks. The former Rangers captain, who was acquired in a trade last Friday, will add size and more nastiness to a blueline that already includes Radko Gudas. I saw one person on Twitter dub the two as hockey’s version of the “bash brothers.” At some point, I hope we see these two on the ice together, maybe on a penalty kill.
It’s been a struggle for the Anaheim Ducks of late. Anaheim has dropped their last two games. They have been outscored 9-2 and have lost five of their last seven overall. Tonight kicks off a four-game eastern road trip for the Ducks, who are 5-3-2 on the road compared to just five wins in 15 home games. Going inside the numbers, Anaheim is 4-5 as a road underdog and has won four of their last five in this spot with wins over Seattle, Chicago, Dallas and the Islanders. On home ice, the Ducks have just three wins in 12 games as a home underdog. Thanks to the fine work by @RogersPicks, he shared with me that Anaheim is the only team not to trail after 20 minutes on the road (6-0-4).
The Canadiens will look to make it a perfect two for two this season as the home betting favorite. Montreal has been a great bet in this spot, going 8-2 as a home favorite the two previous seasons combined. In their last 10 games at the Bell Centre, where they have been the favorite, Montreal has scored 4+ goals seven times.
The Habs have won the last two meetings versus Anaheim, including their most recent meeting in Montreal as a (-115) home favorite, blanking the Ducks, 5-0. One concern in taking the Canadiens on the Money Line tonight is that goalie Samuel Montembeault is 1-4 lifetime against the Ducks.
There are some player props that are worth considering for tonight’s game. Anaheim’s Mason McTavish has scored three goals in two games versus Montembeault, while teammate Frank Vatrano has scored three goals in four meetings versus the Habs netminder.
The Canadiens’ top two goal scorers, Cole Caufield (17) and Nick Suzuki (10) each scored two goals in their two meetings when facing Ducks goalie, Lukas Dostal. Patrick Laine, who scored in both games since returning from injury, scored a goal in the one game he faced Dostal.
We will continue to ride the Lane Hutson express. Montreal’s rookie defenseman has points in six straight and is tied for the team lead in assists with 18. We continue to get Hutson at plus money to record one assist, and it’s a prop I can’t pass up.
One “live play” to keep your eye on tonight is the third period Over 1.5 goals. The Ducks are on a 21-4 run, and the Canadiens have cashed this prop in 24 of their last 26 games (stats courtesy of @PduOtto). I’d be willing to play this anywhere up to (-160).
NHL Predictions: Ducks 1st period ML (+110) – 1 unit
Canadiens TT over 3.5 (+110) – 1 unit
Lane Hutson over ½ assist (+115) – 1 unit
Frank Vatrano anytime goal (+210) – ¼ unit
Mason McTavish anytime goal (+400) – ¼ unit
Cole Caufield anytime goal (+135) – ¼ unit
Patrick Laine anytime goal (+220) – ¼ unit
