Montreal Canadiens vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Expert Pick – Thursday, February 22, 2024

MONTREAL CANADIENS VS. PITTSBURGH PENGUINS EXPERT PICK – The Pittsburgh Penguins are at a crossroads with an aging team that is a long shot to make the playoffs. With the March 8th trade deadline looming and the team being eight points away from a wild card position they could be sellers if things don’t turnaround.

General Manager, Kyle Dubas, made it clear on Dec. 11th that he would be using the All-Star break in early February as an indicator of the direction he would take with this team. They’ve gone 2-4-1 since coming out of the break and he admits this group deserves more latitude due to their championship pedigree.

“I feel that this group, in respecting them and what they’ve accomplished in the past here and how proud they are, I think others may not agree, but I think that that’s the right and fair thing to do,” Dubas explained. “It’s been outlined for them. They know what’s at stake.”

The Penguins look to get on track against a Montreal Canadiens team that lost three in a row and five of six. They also played last night and will start Jake Allen, their backup goaltender. 

Related: Washington State vs. Arizona Expert Pick

 

Penguins Betting Insights

• The Penguins have been favored on the moneyline 32 times this season and have finished 14-18 in those games.
• Pittsburgh has not played as a moneyline favorite of -275 or shorter.
• Based on this contest’s moneyline, the Penguins’ implied win probability is 73.3%.
• Pittsburgh’s games this season have gone over this matchup’s total of 6 goals 26 times.

The Odds

Matchup	Open	Spread	Total	Moneyline
Montreal Canadiens (22-34 SU, 35-21 PL)	+1.5	+1.5	O6	+225
Pittsburgh Penguins (24-29 SU, 25-28 PL)	-1.5	-1.5	U6	-278

Puck Drop

When: Thursday, February 22, 2024, at 7:08 PM

Where: PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

TV Channel: SportsNet PT and ESPN +

Players to Watch

With Dubas coming out this week stating that the team needs to get younger, watch out for Valtteri Puustinen to get more playing time tonight. He has impressed in his 24 NHL games and played well against the New York Islanders two nights ago where his team had 12-1 shots while he was on the ice. 

Sidney Crosby has put this team on his back and can only do so much. He has 55 points this year with 31 goals. When he is on the ice the team looks like a contender. 

Watch out for Nick Suzuki as he leads the Canadiens in goals (20) and points (53).  Former Penguin, Mike Matheson, leads the team in assists with 34. 

The Pick

With the season on the line and the potential to trade 2017 Stanley Cup hero Jake Guentzel if they keep losing, the Penguins step up big and get this win tonight. Take the Penguins tonight with the money line as the Canadiens will be tired and ready to get back home.  

Mitch’s Picks

Penguins ML -278 Crosby ANYTIME GOAL SCORER +105