Pittsburgh Penguins vs Montreal Canadiens: Game preview, predictions and odds | December 12, 2024

The Pittsburgh Penguins are on the road to face the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday at 7 p.m. ET.

Pittsburgh (12-14-4) lost 6-2 at home to Colorado on Tuesday while Montreal (11-14-3) is coming off a 3-2 shootout win over Anaheim on Monday.

Penguins vs Canadiens: Head-to-head & key stats

• Pittsburgh is 77-116-23-11 all-time against Montreal
• The Penguins are averaging 2.83 goals per game
• The Habs are 8-6-2 at home
• Pittsburgh is allowing 3.8 goals per game
• Montreal is averaging 2.75 goals per game
• The Penguins are 4-7-2 on the road
• The Canadiens are allowing 3.53 goals per game

Pittsburgh Penguins vs Montreal Canadiens: Preview

Pittsburgh is 2-1-1 in its last four games. The Penguins are led by Sidney Crosby's 27 points, Evgeni Malkin's 25 points, Erik Karlsson's 19 points and Rickard Rakell's18 points.

Pittsburgh will likely start Tristan Jarry who is 5-4-1 with a 3.81 GAA and a .881 SV%. In his career against Montreal, he is 7-1-1 with a 2.56 GAA and a .911 SV%.

Meanwhile, Montreal is 3-1 in its last four and is expected to start Sam Montembeault who is 9-11-2 with a 2.83 GAA and a .906 SV%. In his career against the Penguins, he is 2-2-1 with a 3.16 GAA and a .897 SV%.

The Canadiens are led by Nick Suzuki who has 29 points, Cole Caufield with 25 points, Lane Hutson with 19 points and Mike Matheson with 15 points.

Penguins vs Canadiens: Odds & Prediction

Pittsburgh is a -120 favorite while Montreal is a +100 underdog. The over/under is set at 6.5 goals.

The Penguins and Canadiens both had playoff aspirations entering this season, but they are off to slow starts. Pittsburgh has had trouble with its goaltending and the Habs' offense will capitalize on it as a home underdog.

Montembeault should be able to limit Pittsburgh's offense as he has played well this year.

Prediction: Canadiens 4, Penguins 2

Penguins vs Canadiens: Betting Tips

Tip 1: Montreal ML (+100)

Tip 2: Under 6.5 goals (-122)