Welcome back to another NHL Predictions. Each day our writers here at Last Word on Hockey look at the games and give in-depth analysis. Our team breaks down the key matchups, storylines, and stats, then makes predictions based on how they might play out. For this edition, we will look at the New York Islanders taking on the Montreal Canadiens. Don’t forget to check out more NHL Predictions, as our writers continue this series throughout the 2024-25 season.
NHL Predictions
New York Islanders vs Montreal Canadiens
Time: 7:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: MSGSN; RDS; TSN2; ESPN+
This NHL Predictions matchup features two Eastern Conference opponents near the bottom of their respective divisions. The Islanders sit seventh in the Metropolitan Division with a record of 9-10-6 through 25 games. The Canadiens are at the bottom in eighth place in the Atlantic Division with a record of 8-13-3 through 24 games. In terms of the playoff hunt, the Islanders are better off at the moment just three points back of the last wild card spot while Montreal is eight back. This is the second of three matchups between these two. On October 29 the Islanders took the first game 4-3 in a shootout on Long Island. Tonight, they will be north of the border inside the Bell Centre.
The Islanders Story
The Islanders snapped their three-game losing streak in the last one, a 3-0 win against the Buffalo Sabres. After blowing third-period leads in all three of those games on that streak, they were able to hold this one to secure their first shutout of the season. More good news for the Islanders as Jean-Gabriel Pageau returned to practice after missing the last two games. In his absence, Simon Holmström got a crack on the first line and scored two goals in each of those two games. He remained in that spot in practice on Monday. He has been a big help to an offence that has struggled to score, ranking 27th in goals with 2.56 per game. No new news on Anthony Duclair who continues to skate on his own. His return should give a boost to the offence and a struggling powerplay that ranks 31st at 12.9%.
In their last game, the Islanders went with 11 forwards and seven defencemen. This was because Scott Mayfield took a puck to the face in the previous game. He played through it but on a back-to-back, Patrick Roy wanted the extra insurance. Roy has already confirmed he won’t be doing the same in this game. There’s good news on the injury front for the Islanders defensive core as well. Adam Pelech has also started skating on his own. His return should bolster what is already a strong group. They rank 12th in goals against with 2.96 per game. Powered by Ilya Sorokin who got the shutout in the last one. He has been incredible with a 6-6-3 record, a .915 save percentage and a 2.52 goals against. With Semyon Varlamov day-to-day, Sorokin should see another start in this game.
The Canadiens Story
Montreal comes into this game struggling. They find themselves on a two-game losing streak and losers of four of their last five. Their offence ranks near the back of the league at 21st. They average 2.83 goals per game and are led by two young stars. The 25-year-old Nick Suzuki is a point-per-game player this season with 24 in 24 games. Followed closely by 23-year-old Cole Caufield, he has 22 points in 24 games including 16 goals so far. The next highest point-getters are on their blueline. The top-heavy forward group doesn’t score much but when they do those two are usually in the middle of it.
The Canadiens defence is the main reason for much of their struggles. They rank dead last in the league in goals against with 3.83 per game. They don’t allow that many shots on goals, but the ones they do allow are high-danger ones. Montreal ranks just 16th in shots on goal against with 546, which is in the middle of the league. The problem is that 66 of them are high-danger, which is the second highest in the league. Combine that with subpar goaltending and this is the result. Starter Sam Montembeault has been having an ok season given the circumstances. He is 6-10-2 with a .897 save percentage and a 3.12 goals against and is the likely starter for this game. Backup Cayden Primeau has been much worse off. He is 2-3-1 with a .844 save percentage and 4.45 goals against.
Prediction
The Islanders are coming off the win in their last game. They are playing against the worst team in the entire Eastern Conference who is already on a losing streak. This a good opportunity to notch another win to try and build some momentum. It won’t be easy because nothing ever is with the Islanders. This along with the fact that the Islanders have lost their last three matchups in the Bell Centre only emphasizes that point. Despite this, we still think the Islanders will pull this one out in a close one with an empty netter at the end.
Prediction: Islanders win 4-2
Prop Bets
Fanduel has the Islanders as favourites in this game. Take them on the money line at -146 because -1.5 on the puck line is too risky. The over/under is at 5.5. Surprisingly we will tell you to take the over at -134. Montreal gives up a lot of goals but they have the talent to pot a few of their own. The Islanders don’t give up a ton but in the third period, things tend to get spooky. As far as any-time goal scorers, for the Islanders, take Simon Holmström who as highlighted has been on a heater on the top line. For the Canadiens take Cole “Goal” Caufield who has 16 already this season and is a threat in any game to light the lamp.
Main Photo Credit: Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images
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The post NHL Predictions: December 3 with New York Islanders vs Montreal Canadiens appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.