Lowly Ducks Look to Find the Scoresheet Against Montreal
The Anaheim Ducks (7-20-3) are the worst team in the NHL this season. They’ve been shut out in back-to-back games and have scored once in their last three games, during which time they’ve been outscored 16-1. They play the Montreal Canadiens (14-12-2) on Thursday night at Bell Centre. Obviously, the Canadiens are favored in the NHL betting lines.
Let’s check the latest NHL odds, stats, injury reports, and NHL lines for Ducks vs Canadiens. We’ve plenty of NHL betting odds for you to consider.
Anaheim Tanking for Bedard
It’s clear at this point that the Ducks are in full tank mode in hopes of bottoming out in the NHL standings and selecting superstar Connor Bedard with the first overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft … should they win the lottery. The Ducks have lost three in a row, including a 7-0 loss to the Maple Leafs on Tuesday night, and are now the worst team in the league based on points percentage.
“A lot of frustration,” defenseman Cam Fowler said of the loss on Tuesday. “That’s probably the main word.”
The Ducks haven’t been good against the spread (ATS), so keep that in mind when betting online. The team is 11-19 ATS, including 6-12 on the road.
Troy Terry leads the team offensively with 27 points in 30 games, while NHL 23 cover star Trevor Zegras has been somewhat of a disappointment with 23 points in 30 games. The team’s starting goaltender, John Gibson, left Tuesday’s game against the Maple Leafs with an injury. Thus, Lukas Dostal may get the start. He has a 5.49 goals-against average (GAA), and a .849 save percentage in just two games.
Scoop on Free Play from the Locker Room
Canadiens Surprising Everyone
Many pundits and fans alike thought the Canadiens would be in the position the Ducks are in this season, but that hasn’t been the case. They’ve kept pace in the competitive Atlantic Division despite some unsettling underlying numbers. Montreal is a bottom-10 team in both goals and goals against a per game but has found ways to win.
Captain Nick Suzuki leads the team in points with 29, and Cole Caulfield is the Canadiens’ leading goalscorer with 16. Depth scoring, however, has been a problem for Montreal. Injuries have hurt the team as well, as they’re without defensemen David Savard and Mike Matheson, as well as forward Brendan Gallagher.
Montreal is 15-13 ATS this season but is just 6-8 at home.
Ducks vs Canadiens Game Injuries
Ducks vs Canadiens Head-to-Head
Since 2008, the Ducks and Canadiens have played 20 times, with the Ducks holding a 12-8 advantage. Anaheim has won three of the last four meetings between the two teams, including a 5-4 win last January.
Ducks vs Canadiens Game Information
- Game: Ducks (7-20-3) vs Canadiens (14-2-2)
- Location: Bell Center in Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Day/Time: Thursday, Dec 15, 7 p.m. ET
- Ducks vs Canadiens Live stream: NHL.TV
Ducks vs Canadiens Betting Lines
Ducks vs Canadiens Picks & Prediction
Anaheim has been so bad lately – and all season, for that matter – that it’s tough to see them win a game, especially in a tough building like the Bell Center. Montreal is playing the second half of a back-to-back, but the Canadiens should have little trouble against the Ducks, which is good news for Montreal fans who have placed sports bets. Expect another lopsided loss for Anaheim.
The Canadiens are listed at -155 in our Vegas Lines. This means that if you wager $100 on the team to win, you have a chance to win $65. The Ducks are +135, offering a chance to win $135.
The implied probability attached to the betting lines gives the Canadiens a 60.78% chance to win, with the Ducks at 42.55%.