NHL Preview: Montreal Canadiens vs. Vancouver Canucks

One NHL betting opportunity you should check out is the matchup between the Vancouver Canucks (18-12-8) and Montreal Canadiens (18-18-3) on Monday, January 6 at 7:30 PM ET at Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec. Current NHL betting odds show the Canucks favored with a moneyline at -135 at XBet.

Vancouver Canucks Betting Preview

The Canucks are coming off a 3-0 shutout defeat against the Nashville Predators in their latest matchup. This put them back on the losing side, as they are now 2-3 over their last five games.

Against the Predators, this game was within reach up until the third period when the Prestosrs added two more goals. Kevin Lankinen had 16 saves, offering one solid performance from the Canucks on the night.

They have had plenty of games this season that have been decided by a goal, as apparent by their record. The gap needs to widen on their goals scored and allowed, with their offense taking a hit these last few losses. In fact, they fired off 27 shot attempts but failed to land any goals on the Predators.

The Canucks are producing 3.03 goals a game and are taking 25.7 shots per game to get there. On defense they are allowing opponents to score 3.16 goals per game, offering a tight margin that is slightly negative.

Montreal Canadiens Betting Preview

The Canadiens have won four out of their last five games and are aiming to add another win to their new streak. Their latest battle was a 2-1 shootout victory over the Colorado Avalanche.

They forced a shootout after landing a goal in the third period to tie it. Kirby Dach and Cole Caufield each scored a goal during the shootout, while Jakub Dobres was great defensively with a .957 save percentage rate.

A tough win on the road like that is exactly the positive spark the Canadiens need, as this quickly bounced them back on the winning side. However, both teams are stacked up nicely on paper, which could lead to a tight scoring situation.

The Canadiens are averaging 2.95 goals and taking 25.4 shot attempts per matchup. Their defense is giving up 3.36 goals and 29.1 shots per battle. This ratio is slightly negative, which could be a red flag.

Odds, Series Trends, and Free Pick

XBet has the Vancouver Canucks vs. Montreal Canadiens betting odds ready for you, with the Canucks favored on the road. This should be a tight battle, as the Canucks are 11-4-2 on the road while the Canadiens are 10-7-2 at home.

The Canucks have stumbled lately over their last handful of games, while the Canadiens appear to be performing well. Take the Canadiens at home to win this matchup, likely by a goal since both teams are capable of keeping this close.

Final Pick: Montreal Canadiens +110