The Montreal Canadiens enter this season’s Winter Classic slumping, but a game against the Boston Bruins could very well help their cause. The Habs are 8-1 in their last nine games against the Bruins and have outscored their Original Six rival 32-14.
- Lars Eller has scored three goals in three games against the Bruins this season.
- The Bruins are 7-2 in their last nine games in January.
- The total has gone UNDER in six of the Bruins’ last seven games following a win.
This will be the eighth official Winter Classic game in the NHL’s history and it appears that a packed stadium and playing outdoors has affected the hosting team. In the previous seven Winter Classic’s the road team is 5-2.
December has been a terrible month for the Canadiens as it will go down as the fourth-worst month in the team’s storied history (according to win percentage). The Habs were just 3-11 in their 14 games last month, which included a 3-1 loss to the Bruins. Montreal’s offense has been stagnant as they have averaged a mere 1.6 goals per game in their past 14 games.
The Bruins are not exactly coming into the Winter Classic booming either, as they are 1-3 in their last four games, but they did go off for seven goals in their last outing versus the Ottawa Senators. Boston has also excelled when facing Atlantic Division foes, as they have won seven of their last nine games within the division.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
If you're going with the Boston Bruins in this one, they were listed as moneyline favorites of -142 on most NHL hockey betting menus (such as Sportsbook) early today for Friday's contest. The over-under total was at 5 earlier at Sportsbook.
A 3.3-2.1 result in favor of the Bruins is the prediction by the Odds Shark handicapping pick engine. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NHL matchups here.
Montreal Canadiens vs Boston Bruins Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Montreal Canadiens will try to spoil to the party on Friday; they are 21-15-3 this season, while the Bruins are 20-12-4. Montreal is 17-16-6 on the totals; Boston is 18-16-2. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Boston vs Montreal injuries news.
The Canadiens - Bruins odds would favor the Bruins if the lines were set according to our power ranks. Boston is rated No. 6 in the current Odds Shark poll, while Montreal is at No. 25.
Statistical Matchup
The game also pits Boston's No. 2-ranked offense, averaging 3.19 goals per game, against a Canadiens defense that ranks No. 13 at 2.51 goals allowed. The Bruins power play is averaging 29.41% while the Canadiens defense kills off 83.74% of their penalties.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Montreal lost its last outing, a 3-1 result against the Panthers on December 29. Bettors who backed the Panthers at -148 on the moneyline won on the day, and the total score (4) sent UNDER bettors to the payout window.
Boston was a 7-3 Sportsbook in its last match at home against the Senators. They won as favorites, while the total score of 10 made Sportsbooks of OVER bettors.
- Montreal is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Montreal's last 11 games
- Montreal is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games on the road
- Montreal is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing Boston
- The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Boston's last 12 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Boston's last 8 games at home
- Boston is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games when playing Montreal
- Boston is 2-9 SU in its last 11 games when playing at home against Montreal
Next Betting Matchups
Montreal at Philadelphia, Tuesday, January 5th
Boston home to Washington, Tuesday, January 5th
