Coyotes vs. Canadiens Odds
| Coyotes Odds | +150 |
| Canadiens Odds | -185 |
| Over/Under | 6.5 (+100/-120) |
| Time | 7 p.m. ET |
| TV | TSN2 |
| Odds via BetMGM. Get up-to-the-minute NHL Odds here. | |
As two of the preseason favorites to win this year's race to last place and secure a shot at tantalizing top prospect Connor Bedard, the Montreal Canadiens and Arizona Coyotes have already pulled a few rabbits out of their hats over the first week of the NHL season.
Both squads are coming off wins against playoff teams on Monday as Montreal secured an overtime victory at home against the Pittsburgh Penguins and Arizona took down the Toronto Maple Leafs on the road.
Which side will hold the edge when the Coyotes and Canadiens go head-to-head at the Bell Centre? Read on for the latest on both teams, and your best bet for the game.
Arizona Coyotes
Operating with one of the lowest payrolls in the NHL, the Coyotes are starting the year with a six-game road trip before they make their debut in their new home arena at Arizona State University on Oct. 28. After giving up six goals against Pittsburgh and Boston, they limited the high-scoring Leafs to just two goals in Monday's win.
With a roster that's short on stars, it's not surprising to see that Arizona has been dramatically outshot in all three of its games. At 5-on-5, the Coyotes have scored just three times in three games and are controlling the fewest expected goals in the NHL at just 30.5%. Their power play has been effective at 5-for-13, but that's balanced out by a porous 10-for-14 penalty kill, with one shorthanded goal also scored.
One year away from unrestricted free agency, power-play specialist Shayne Gostisbehere is leading the way with five points, and four have come with the man advantage. Nick Ritchie's team-leading three goals have also all come on the power play.
Oft-injured trade-bait target Jakob Chychrun is close to being able to return from his latest injury (wrist). He has flown out to join his teammates in Montreal, but it's unclear when he'll be able to get back into the lineup. The Coyotes are also missing fellow defenseman Conor Timmins (upper body, day-to-day) and forward Nick Schmaltz (upper body, 6-to-8 weeks).
In net, expect to see Karel Vejmelka again on Thursday. He has started all three games and, heading into Wednesday's action, has faced more shots than any other goalie, an average of 41 per game. Playing in a difficult environment, Vejmelka carries a respectable 0.9 goals saved above expected rating.
Montreal Canadiens
The Canadiens are off to a 2-2-0 start, with wins over Toronto and Pittsburgh bookending losses to the Detroit Red Wings and Washington Capitals.
Despite injuries to veteran defensemen Mike Matheson and Joel Edmundson, the Canadiens have been quite stingy while icing a blue-line group that includes three rookies — Kaiden Guhle, Arber Xhekaj, Jordan Harris and Johnathan Kovacevic. Montreal is averaging a very respectable 2.75 goals against per game and has given up just one goal while shorthanded this season. Starting netminder Jake Allen is expected to be back between the pipes on Thursday after missing Monday's game for the birth of his third child. He was stellar in his first two outings and sits at 3.2 goals saved above expected.
However, the Canadiens have struggled to produce offense. They've controlled just 42.84% of expected goals at 5-on-5 and are 1-for-13 on the power play this season. New captain Nick Suzuki has been in on five of the eight total goals that Montreal has scored to date and Cole Caufield leads his team with three goals.
Coyotes vs. Canadiens Pick
Someone's going to have to manage the puck on Thursday night and it looks like the home side should be able to seize that edge. The Canadiens did a good job Monday in coming from behind to take down a formidable foe in Pittsburgh and should be able to take advantage of the Coyotes' penchant to bleed shots.
That being said, both Vejmelka and Allen have been sharp so far this season and neither teams' skaters have had much luck delivering consistent offense.
As the oddmakers suggest, the Canadiens should be favored to eke out a win. However, at close to even money, the under offers superior value in what should be a low-scoring affair.
Pick: Under 6.5 (-105); play down to -115
