Oilers vs Canadiens 03/22/21 – Odds and NHL Betting Trends
3 years ago
by OddsShark (@OddsShark) – Sponsored Post
The Edmonton Oilers can claim sole possession of first place in the North Division standings with a win on Monday night when they visit the Montreal Canadiens as +105 underdogs on the NHL odds at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com.
Edmonton has pulled even with the Toronto Maple Leafs atop the divisional standings while compiling the three-game win streak the club takes into Monday’s matchup at the Bell Centre.
Oilers vs Canadiens | OddsShark Matchup Report
The Oilers open a five-game road trip with three dates with the Canadiens this week, followed by a crucial two-game set next weekend in Toronto. The team has steadily racked up points during a nine-game stretch that has featured seven victories, and now opens the week with 21 wins, tops in the division. However, Edmonton’s recent steady pace has failed to give them a big lift on the NHL futures at online sports betting sites. Despite sitting alongside the Maple Leafs at 42 points, the Oilers still lag behind Toronto at +450 odds to win the North Division.
The Oilers must also overcome some recent disappointing performances on the road if they are to maintain their perch atop the standings. Each of the Oilers’ two recent defeats have come on the road, ending a six-game win streak away from Rogers Place.
Mike Smith is projected to get the nod between the pipes for Edmonton on Monday night. The veteran netminder turned in yet another steady performance in Saturday’s 4-2 victory over Winnipeg, turning aside 29 of the 31 shots he faced. Now sporting a 11-3-0 record on the season, Smith was also in the crease when the Oilers made their only previous visit to Montreal this season, backstopping the club to a 3-0 victory on February 11.
With that victory, the Oilers have picked up the win in eight of their past 10 visits to Montreal, and have limited Canadiens shooters to just eight total goals in their past 10 road meetings.
That presents a huge challenge to the Canadiens, who are set to hit the ice on Monday as -125 favorites. Montreal finally snapped its woeful track record in overtime and the shootout this weekend; losers in nine straight games that went beyond 60 minutes, the Canadiens finally snapped that streak with a 5-4 shootout win over Vancouver on Saturday night.
That victory provided the Canadiens with much needed breathing room in the North Division standings, where they cling to fourth place by just two points over the Canucks. However, consecutive wins have been rare for the Canadiens since early this season, as Montreal has failed to tally back-to-back victories while posting seven wins in 21 outings since February 2.
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