NHL 100 Classic Predictions

This year, we’ve got the Habs and the Sens playing on the Rideau Canal in Ottawa. You’re not getting anymore Canadian than that unless Dudley Doo-right fights Bigfoot between periods. In my view, this game will someday (very soon) eclipse the all-star game as the NHL’s big showcase game. Because this game actually means something to the players. So let’s take a look at who will win.

Prediction: The Montreal Canadiens at Sports Interaction

This will be the most-watched game between two non-playoff teams in the history of the NHL. But right now, I’d say Montreal is trending slightly upwards after a hellacious start. Not great, but on the upswing. Whereas the Senators are a hot mess. They’re one of the worst defensive teams in the NHL right now. And that’s not just coaching, goaltending and execution. It’s also effort.

So I see them losing on their “home ice.” Neither of these teams is exactly going into tonight’s game hot or on the right side of .500. But let’s take a look at how they stack up.

Ottawa is giving up 3.3 goals per game, fourth worst in the NHL right now. They mercifully won their last game, after a rough road trip where they lost 5 straight games, giving up 5 goals to the Jets, 3 goals to the Ducks, 4 to the Kings, 5 to the Sharks, and finally 3 to the worst team in hockey in the Sabres. You’d be hard-pressed to show me a weaker stretch of hockey from any team in recent years. At the offensive end, they’re not much better.

The Sens are only scoring 2.7 goals per game this year, slightly better than Montreal (more on that later). They’ve been shut out twice over their last 8 games and also been held to a single goal twice during that same stretch. So there’s not a lot of positives in their scouting reports.

Meanwhile, the away team was the worst team in the NHL to start the year, and now they’ve been upgraded to just below average. After a simply brutal start to the regular season, Montreal is 6-2-2 over their last 10 games, and are grinding their way towards respectability. They have already climbed to within 3 points of the last wildcard spot (currently held by the NY Rangers) with a whole lotta hockey left to play this season.

Habs are scoring 2.6 goals per game this year

As we mentioned, the Habs are still only scoring 2.6 goals per game this year. But considering how long that number was under 2 goals per game this season, again, they’re trending upwards. Mind you, a lot of this was helped by an absolute goal scoring explosion where they scored 6 goals and 10 goals against the Detroit Red Wings in a home-and-home series.

16 goals in two games had better skew your stats, or you’re in trouble. Sadly, not much goal lights have gone off since then, as Montreal has only mustered 2 goals in each of their last 3 outings, 2 of those being losses, and all 3 of those games have been at home. Not ideal. 

After a homestand they should have taken more advantage of, they are now embarking on a 7 game road trip that will literally take them through the rest of 2017. They could REALLY use a massive win in a much-watched game to start things off on the right skate, or they could find themselves sliding back out of the playoff picture in a hurry.

If you’re looking to add some fun to your hockey watching experience this holiday season, feel free to place a bet on the game. Sports betting and hockey go together like rum and eggnog. Or rum and more rum. We recommend using Sports Interaction. They have an amazingly safe and simple website, with great introductory offers. Right now you can get a 100% bonus on your first bet, up to $200.00!

Category : Online Betting News

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