Barbashev Starts Hot with Knights
Ivan Barbashev is fitting in nicely on the first line for the Vegas Golden Knights, who get a reprieve from a tough stretch when they face the struggling Montreal Canadiens Sunday in the final game of a three-game homestand.
Barbashev, acquired from the St. Louis Blues, had three assists in his first three games with the Golden Knights while linemates Jonathan Marchessault and Jack Eichel have combined to account for five goals and two assists over that span.
“We knew that’s the kind of guy we needed,” Marchessault told the media of Barbashev, who has 10 goals and 22 assists, well off his career-highs of 26 goals and 34 assists set last season. “He’s going to be a huge factor for the rest of the year.”
🎥 Marchessault on Barbashev: He’s one of those guys that makes all the little plays out there. He has that veteran presence on the ice, he has a lot of poise and he plays hard too. pic.twitter.com/nzSHOJl7EV
— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) March 4, 2023
After facing the Canadiens, Vegas heads East for five games, including matchups against the Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning and Carolina Hurricanes.
The Canadiens are winning too much to be serious contenders in the Connor Bedard sweepstakes, but that may change as 13 of their final 20 games come against current playoff teams, offering them a chance to drop below Vancouver and Arizona.
After facing the Golden Knights, Montreal will have but one game left against the Western Conference, a home date with the Colorado Avalanche March 13.
NHL picks have Vegas as the second choice to win the Western Conference (+550).
Hill Standing Tall in Net
Adin Hill was solid it net once again for the Golden Knights in a 3-2 shootout victory over the New Jersey Devils Friday.
The 26-year-old, who is in his first season with the Golden Knights, posted a career-high 47 saves to win for the sixth time in his last eight appearances.
Hill may have earned the starting gig for the playoffs with his recent form, which includes allowing 15 goals in his last eight games, and the fact that starting goaltender Logan Thompson had yet to resume skating in his recovery from injury.
“Their goaltender had a tremendous game,” New Jersey head coach Lindy Ruff told the media of Hill, who stopped all five attempts in the shootout. “We had four or five really good chances off the bat. Their goalie made a couple of big saves.
Dube On Pace for Career-High in Goals
Mike Matheson has been the best thing the Canadiens have had going for them over the last month or so, leading them in time on ice and points since February 1.
The eight-year veteran and former first-round draft pick, who has been traded twice, has logged three goals and seven assists in the last 11 games for Montreal.
Matheson leads all Montreal defensemen in points (18) despite playing just 28 games with five of those coming on the power play, one off his career-high.
The former Florida Panther and Pittsburgh Penguin grew up 20 minutes from Montreal’s Bell Center in Pointe-Claire, Quebec and often attended games there as a child.
Canadiens vs Golden Knights Game Injuries
Canadiens vs Golden Knights Head-to-Head
The Golden Knights have taken three straight meetings against the Canadiens since Montreal defeated Vegas 4-2 in the conference finals in 2021.
Vegas prevailed 6-4 in the first matchup this season Nov. 5.
Canadiens vs Golden Knights Game Information
- Game: Canadiens (26-32-4) vs Golden Knights (37-19-6)
- Location: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, NV
- Day/Time: Sunday, March 5, 6 p.m. ET
- Canadiens vs Golden Knights Live Stream: NHL.TV
Canadiens vs Golden Knights Betting Lines
Canadiens vs Golden Knights Picks & Prediction
The Golden Knights, who are 5-0 when a money line favorite of -296 or greater, are -310 on the NHL lines money line. The Canadiens have been a solid sports bet against the puck line, winning three straight and five of their last games as an underdog.
Vegas and Montreal have averaged eight goals in their last three meetings.
Vegas is listed at -275 in our Las Vegas NHL odds. This means that if you wager $100 on the Golden Knights, you have a chance to win $36. Montreal is +235, offering a chance to win $235 on a $100 wager.
The implied probability attached to the betting lines gives Vegas a 73.33% chance to win, with the Canadiens 29.85%.
Canadiens vs Golden Knights Trends
Canadiens vs Golden Knights Edge
Canadiens vs Golden Knights Results
Canadiens vs Golden Knights Game Summary
