Canadiens vs Canucks Odds & Prediction: Habs Underdogs Despite Recent Streak

A pair of teams benefiting from an in-season coaching change hook up in Vancouver as the Canucks (28-23-6) host the Montreal Canadiens (15-34-7) on Wednesday night. The Canucks have points in 24 of 32 games since Bruce Boudreau took over, while Montreal is 7-4 under Martin St. Louis. Get more insight, analysis and a Canadiens vs Canucks prediction below. 

Canadiens vs Canucks Odds & Analysis

Sportsbook Odds

The Canucks opened as home favorites in this game despite the fact Montreal has dominated head-to-head meetings lately, winning 14 of the last 19 games, and it appears early money is leaning toward Vancouver. If recent history is any indication, you may want to jump on the OVER in this one. The total has gone OVER in Vancouver’s last eight games and in 14 of the Canadiens’ last 20 games. 

Get the best Canadiens vs Canucks odds and lines available from our recommended sportsbooks for your favorite picks of the night.

Canadiens Seeing A Major Uptick In Offensive Production Since Coaching Change

It was one month ago that Martin St. Louis was hired as the team’s interim head coach. At that time, they had won just eight of 45 games and were dead last in the NHL standings. After losing his first three games, St. Louis has the Canadiens rolling with victories in seven of their last eight.

The coaching change has sparked a number of players, including 21-year-old Cole Caufield, who has 14 points in 11 games. Nick Suzuki has a trio of three-point games in his last five, while defenseman Jeff Petry has seven of his 13 points this season in his last nine games. 

This is where I would normally tell you who’s in and who’s out for tonight, but Montreal’s injury list is so long it looks like a grocery list for a house with an empty fridge. You can check it out on our matchup page but one thing to note is that goaltender Andrew Hammond was recently put on IR, joining Carey Price and Jake Allen. That means Samuel Montembeault and Cayden Primeau will carry the workload between the pipes. 

Canucks Stars Are Shining Brightly Under Boudreau

The Canadiens are stealing a page from the Canucks book but on a much smaller scale. On December 5, Vancouver was 8-15-2 and allowing 3.2 goals per game. Enter Bruce Boudreau. Since his arrival, the Canucks are 20-8-4 and have become one of the best defensive teams in hockey. 

The Canucks have found their offense in recent games as well, averaging 4.4 goals in their last 10 contests. They are being led by J.T. Miller, who has 17 points during a nine-game point streak, and Elias Pettersson, who is heating up with a dozen points in his last eight games. 

But this team isn’t fighting for a playoff spot if not for the heroic play of goaltender Thatcher Demko. He is their best player most nights and is 8-1 in his last nine starts. 

Canadiens vs Canucks Pick & Insights

Canadiens: Keys To Victory

Next man up mentality. Despite all of their injuries, the Canadiens are getting it done under Martin St. Louis. They will need different players to step up if they want to continue their winning ways. Tonight’s contest is the last of a five-game Canadian road trip for Montreal, so the Habs can’t let fatigue set in. 

Canucks: Keys To Victory

Start strong and attack in the offensive zone. This is the first game in a seven-game homestand for the Canucks. If they want to show the league they are a playoff team, this is their chance to make up ground. If they pepper Montreal goaltending and continue to get strong play from Demko, then taking the home team is the smart choice when making your Canadiens vs Canucks pick.   

Odds Shark’s Computer Canadiens vs Canucks Prediction: Canadiens ML (+180)

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