Oilers vs Canadiens Preview, Prediction & Prop Bets (March 22)
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The Toronto Maple Leafs are almost guaranteed a playoff spot. It’s just the opposite when the Ottawa Senators are concerned. They practically have no chance of getting to the postseason. All the other five North Division teams are still in the competition for the NHL Playoffs, including the Edmonton Oilers and Montreal Canadiens, who square off on Monday evening.
- Date: Monday, March 22, 2021
- Time: 6:00 om (Eastern Daily Time)
- Place: Bell Centre in Montreal, Québec
Oilers vs Canadiens Preview
Three Oilers vs Canadiens matchups have already happened in 2021. Montreal won the first two, but the most recent duel saw Edmonton getting a shutout win. Still, it happened more than a month ago, on February 11.
Since then, both teams have had mixed success. The Canadiens got themselves some rally big wins, including the 7-1 victory over the Winnipeg Jets, which was their biggest win in years. However, they also dropped points against some relatively weak opponents like the Canucks and Flames.
It’s been similar with the Edmonton Oilers. Still, there’s one peculiar thing about this team’s recent form. Their performances have been pretty streaky. For instance, in the second half of February, they won five straight games, only to lose the next three. Then they came back into a winning run with four straight wins.
The Canadiens are Great in Defense
The Montreal Canadiens are one of the teams with the fewest goals conceded in the entire NHL. Their secret? Fantastic defensemen, good goalies, and team spirit.
Jeff Petry is having the time of his life at the age of 33. The defenseman is one of the best Montreal skaters, with more goals and assists than most forwards. The reason why he’s been so effective in the offense is that he has the luxury to relax in defense, knowing that Allen and Price has his back.
The two goaltenders have been fantastic this season, with a save percentage above 0.90. what’s strange is that neither goalie has recorded a shutout this season. At least not at the moment of writing.
Nevertheless, this team has managed to concede fewer goals than most of its rivals. The final reason why that is the case is that the entire team is working hard defensively in every single game. Actually, team play has been Montreal’s #1 strongest weapon in 2021.
The Oilers are Superb in Offense
The two top-scorers in the North Division are Edmonton’s forwards. The guys in question are Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. These guys are also near the top of the division when assists are concerned.
Although they’re Edmonton’s best players by far, other skaters have been putting in a lot of effort as well. As a result, the Oilers have scored more goals than most other teams in the NHL in 2021.
Still, the fact is that they did it when playing against much weaker sides. Proof of this claim is that they failed to score a single goal in two matches against the Maple Leafs. Against the Canadiens, they’ve scored a total of five goals in three games, which is also below their season average.
Edmonton vs Montreal Prediction
This is going to be a very close game, which could easily go to overtime (or even be decided by a penalty shootout). For this reason, our Oilers vs Canadiens betting suggestion is going to be to bet against the spread.
Our Oilers vs Canadiens Pick: Canadiens +1.5
The FatCatBet’s Hockey Props
Obviously, Edmonton’s forwards McDavid and Draisaitl are the two skaters most likely to score in this game. However, we need to advise against player betting in this case. The reason is that Montreal defends well, so there probably aren’t going to be too many goals at Bell Centre on Monday evening.
Instead, our prop bet suggestions are going to be focused on overtime. Here’s what we think is going to happen:
- Oilers vs Canadiens to Go Overtime
- Draw in Regulation
- Correct Score (Regulation): 2-2