PREMIUM
The Coach's Saturday SURE SHOT
(NHL) Florida vs. Montreal,
Money Line: -165.00 Montreal (Home)
Result: Win
Money Line: -165.00 Montreal (Home)
Result: Win
The Montreal Canadiens are sitting top of the Atlantic Division and can secure a spot in the playoffs with a win tonight. They host division rivals Florida, a team battling for the last wild card in the East. You might think motivation would favor the visitors, but the Habs are looking to snap a two game skid and I think they'll be quite eager of doing so here.
Here are my keys to the game:
1. A Well Rested Carey Price - The Vezina Trophy favorite had two consecutive shutouts before allowing two goals at Nashville Tuesday. He sat out in the following 5-2 loss at Winnipeg, and will come in here well rested. He's an astonishing 10-1-1 with a 1.48 GAA on the season when playing on three or more days of rest, and we can expect another stellar performance tonight.
2. Florida's Offensive Woes - The Panthers ranks 25th in the NHL for scoring, averaging a lowly 2.38 goals per game. It drops to an even worse 2.24 goals per game away from home while Montreal is allowing just over two goals per game at Bell Centre on the season.
3. X-Factor - The Habs Brendan Gallagher is on a four game goal-streak and has three goals over the first three meetings with the Panthers this season.
Selection: This is a play on the Montreal Canadiens (8*)
Here are my keys to the game:
1. A Well Rested Carey Price - The Vezina Trophy favorite had two consecutive shutouts before allowing two goals at Nashville Tuesday. He sat out in the following 5-2 loss at Winnipeg, and will come in here well rested. He's an astonishing 10-1-1 with a 1.48 GAA on the season when playing on three or more days of rest, and we can expect another stellar performance tonight.
2. Florida's Offensive Woes - The Panthers ranks 25th in the NHL for scoring, averaging a lowly 2.38 goals per game. It drops to an even worse 2.24 goals per game away from home while Montreal is allowing just over two goals per game at Bell Centre on the season.
3. X-Factor - The Habs Brendan Gallagher is on a four game goal-streak and has three goals over the first three meetings with the Panthers this season.
Selection: This is a play on the Montreal Canadiens (8*)