NHL Hockey Betting: Montreal Canadiens at Vancouver Canucks
The Montreal Canadiens have played in many ‘big games’ throughout the very successful history of the franchise. This game is one of the biggest–even if the Canadiens’ players are trying to suggest otherwise. As anyone who follows the NHL knows, Montreal has yet to lose this season and can run their record to 10-0-0 with a victory tonight against the Vancouver Canucks. It’s always a big deal with the Habs play on the West Coast for many reasons–usually both teams are among the best in the league and Montreal goaltender Carey Price has his roots in British Columbia. This time it’s a special game for one reason and one reason only–Montreal is trying to make history and tie the best start ever for a NHL team and Vancouver is trying to stop them.
Last year, the Canadiens were a very good team. Or at least they had a very good record. The bulk of their success was due to the career season turned in by goaltender Carey Price, who won the Vezina Trophy for best goalie and the Hart Trophy for most valuable player. Part of the reason for the Habs undefeated start is that Price is off to a better start to the season this year than last. The most important component is last year’s sometimes anemic offense has exploded to lead the league in goals scored. When a team leads the league in goals scored and fewest goals allowed they’re going to win a lot of hockey games.
A win in this game and Montreal will tie the starts of the 1993-94 Maple Leafs and 2006-07 Buffalo Sabres. By one important metric, they have a chance to surpass these teams tonight by virtue of the fact that the Habs have won all nine games to date in regulation. Should they win tonight, they’ll be able to break the record for best start on Thursday night against the plucky young Edmonton Oilers. As for tonight, Vancouver still has talent even though the Sedin twins are getting long in the tooth. They’re a respectable 3-2-3 and sitting in the middle of the Pacific Division pack. They’ve done well against the Habs in recent years splitting the last 32 games played and holding an 11-7 edge at home. In recent years, however, the Canadiens have won 3 of the last 4 games against Vancouver including a split in two games at Rogers Arena.
The Canucks have the ability to outplay the Canadiens but so far the Habs have had very few ‘off nights’. We’ll take them at their word that they’re not really concerned about this record and look for them to maintain their impressive streak.
BET MONTREAL CANADIENS -120 OVER VANCOUVER CANUCKS