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Canadiens vs. Golden Knights Predictions, Odds, Preview

VegasInsider Staff
VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert
4 minute read
June 16, 2021
by Jonathan Willis
VI Betting Expert
VegasInsider.com


Montreal Canadiens vs. Vegas Golden Knights Game 2 Predictions

Score Prediction Golden Knights 3 Canadiens 1

Montreal had the longest winning streak in the postseason prior to the Canadiens’ 4-1 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on Monday night. They had won seven straight games prior to that defeat, erasing a 3-1 deficit against the Toronto Maple Leafs before sweeping the Winnipeg Jets. Vegas proved to be Montreal’s toughest test yet in Game 1, so can the Canadiens get off the floor on Wednesday night?

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Vegas will get better play out of its forwards in this game, leading to another convincing win. The blue line has been fantastic this postseason for the Golden Knights with nine goals and 28 assists between the defensemen, and their ability to put pucks on net will frustrate Carey Price.

Montreal Canadiens vs. Vegas Golden Knights Game 2 Best Bets

  • Vegas -1.5 +105
  • Under 5 +115
  • First Goal After 9 Minutes -125

The Vegas Golden Knights and the Montreal Canadiens have gone OVER the goal total in five of the last six games. (AP)

Montreal Canadiens vs. Vegas Golden Knights Game 2 Odds

  • Canadiens +220
  • Golden Knights -275
  • Canadiens +1.5 -125
  • Golden Knights -1.5 +105
  • Over 5 -135
  • Under 5 +115

Montreal Canadiens vs. Vegas Golden Knights Game 2 Betting Analysis

  • Venue: T-Mobile Arena
  • Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
  • TV-Time: NBCSN - 9:00 p.m. ET

Montreal Canadiens: 32-25-11 SU, 32-36 PL, 28-36-4 O/U
Vegas Golden Knights: 49-17-4 SU, 36-34 PL, 34-33-3 O/U

It was impressive to see Vegas score four goals considering some of their best players didn’t get in on the action. Mark Stone, Max Pacioretty, and Jonathan Marchessault were all held without a point in Game 1. Three of the Golden Knights’ six defenders lit the lamp though with Shea Theodore, Alec Martinez, and Nick Holden scoring goals.

Don’t expect Montreal to hold Vegas’ forwards in check for another game. While the Golden Knights don’t have any elite scorers, they have several very good scorers that keeps the attack varied and fresh.

In particular, look for Pacioretty to have a much better performance on Wednesday night. He only had one shot on goal and failed to record a point in Game 1, but he has been Vegas’ most consistent performer since returning to the lineup in Game 7 of the Golden Knights’ first round series against Minnesota.

Pacioretty has four goals and four assists in eight games. He had tallied at least a point in every playoff game prior to being shut out on Monday. Vegas’ left wing will also have something to prove as he spent 11 years with Montreal before the Canadiens traded him to Vegas in September 2018. William Karlsson was the only standout Vegas forward to not be shut out in Game 1. He provided the secondary assist to Holden’s third period goal, and his hustle effectively shut down the Habs’ chances of a comeback.

With the puck in Montreal’s zone, Karlsson hustled to the corner and deftly back-passed through a two-on-one to find open space. Reilly Smith then found Holden who was able to fire the puck past a helpless Carey Price. That type of play personifies Karlsson’s game. He currently leads the Golden Knights in points (12) with four goals and eight assists.

Montreal was unable to get much done in Game 1. The Canadiens lone goal came off a power play, and it was answered within a minute by Mattias Janmark. The underdogs were pretty unlucky though if you are a big believer in expected goals. According to Moneypuck, the Canadiens had a 4.4 xG in Game 1, while the Golden Knights had a 3.4 xG.

Cole Caufield was Montreal’s lone goal scorer. He led the way with a 1.45 xG, and he led the Canadiens with six shots on net. It was Caufield’s first goal of the playoffs, so Montreal would love to see more production out of him in this series. Tyler Toffoli provided the primary assist on Caufield’s goal. Toffoli leads Montreal in points (11) with four goals and seven assists this postseason. He has now recorded a point in seven straight games dating back to Game 6 against Toronto, and he has four goals and five assists in that stretch.

The Canadiens would love for their other forwards to get going, but this team just doesn’t have a lot of weapons. Nick Suzuki is the second leading scorer with four goals and four assists in 12 games, but Montreal is relying heavily on 36-year-old Eric Staal and 36-year-old Corey Perry.<.p>

Montreal Canadiens vs. Vegas Golden Knights Series History

  • 06/14/2021 - Montreal 1 at Vegas 4 (-1.5) - Push 5
  • 01/18/2020 - Vegas 4 at Montreal 5 (+1.5) - Over 6
  • 10/31/2019 - Montreal 5 (+1.5) at Vegas 4 - Over 6.5

Projected Goalies

Montreal: Carey Price (12-7, 1 SO, 2.64 GAA, .901 SV%)

Vegas: Marc-Andre Fleury (26-10, 6 SO, 1.98 GAA, .928 SV%)

2021 NHL Playoff Betting Resources

Odds per BetMGM - Subject to Change


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