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Montreal Canadiens vs. L.A. Kings Picks & NHL Preview

Surging Clubs Meet in Monday Marquee – Habs Visit Kings

The Montreal Canadiens begin a four game Western road trip on Monday night and enter the game playing pretty well – 5-0-1 in their last six games and coming off a 4-3 win over heated and hated rival Toronto on Saturday night.

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Their Monday opposition Los Angeles Kings have also been playing well – 3-0 since the Olympic break and 4-0 in their last four games overall. The Kings won the only meeting of the teams this season – 6-0 back on December 10.

Montreal (34-21-4-3) at Los Angeles (34-22-2-4)
When: 10:30 PM ET, Monday, March 3, 2014
Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles, California
Broadcast: RDS, TSN-HABS, FS-W
Habs vs. Kings Betting Lines from betonline.com
No Lines Available Yet
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Perhaps the biggest news out of Montreal ahead of Monday night’s game is the possible return of Carey Price to the lineup – back from a lower body injury apparently sustained at the Olympics. Pete Budaj has filled in admirably going 2-0-1 but there is no doubt that the Habs are a much better team with Price between the pipes.

Montreal has been an average offensive club this season – 2.50 goals per game but they have been lighting the lamp lately and getting contributions from seemingly everyone in the lineup. Andrei Markov has seven assists during a five-game point streak, Max Pacioretty has three goals and an assist over the past two games, Daniele Briere has three points in two games and Alex Galchenyuk, Josh Gorges and PK Subban each have two points in their last two games.

The Habs have erased the memories of a lull a couple of weeks before the Olympic break and are making a run at Boston in the Atlantic Division. They are currently four points back of Boston and two points up on Tampa Bay – there is a ton to play for and they should bring their best into LA Monday night.

The LA Kings had a miserable time before the Olympic break – they were 2-7-1 in the 10 games prior. But the team has rebounded nicely and resemble the team that most thought they would be. Three straight wins has them right back in the thick of the Western Conference playoff race – they, not unlike the Canadiens, will need every single point from now on.
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To nobody’s surprise it has been the defense that has led the way for the Kings during their resurgence. Los Angeles has allowed more than one goal just once during its four game winning streak. LA continues to be in the top tier of defensive teams in the NHL allowing just 2.08 goals per game.

Jonathan Quick was terrific in the Olympics for Team USA and has carried on his good play. He is 2-0-0 in his last two starts with a 0.50 GAA and .980 save percentage. He wasn’t in goal the first time these teams met but not unlike Montreal his team looks a whole lot different with him in the crease.

Offensively the Kings are still struggling to score goals but they have been better since the Olympic break. They average 2.32 goals per game but have scored 11 in the 3 games since the break (6 in a win over Colorado February 26). Dustin Brown has led the way with three points in two games, Justin Williams has two goals and two assists in the past three games and Robyn Regehr has three points in four games. Even Mike Richards has shown signs of waking up – he scored for the first time in 12 games Saturday (his second goal in 37 games!!!).

Dave’s FREE NHL Betting Prediction

A few trends to consider:
• Over is 6-1-4 in MON last 11 road games.
• Under is 5-1-2 in MON last 8 Mon. games.
• Under is 9-3 in MON last 12 vs. Pacific.
• Under is 5-1-2 in LA last 8 games following a win.
• LA are 2-6 in their last 8 vs. Eastern Conference.
• LA are 16-6 in their last 22 Mon. games.
• MON are 7-1 in the last 8 meetings.

The Canadiens have earned at least one point in nine of their last 10 games (7-1-2) – they are playing some solid hockey. Add in the fact that Montreal has had LA’s number the past few seasons going 7-1 in the last eight and the prospect of their emotional leader Carey Price returning to the lineup and this looks very much like a Montreal victory here. Saying that I am staying away from the Moneyline in this game. The Under is the play – both teams have sensational goaltending and both struggle a tad to put the puck in the net.

Pick: Under

By DaveB

Dave B has been a Fantasy Football writer for us for 10 years. A couch potato wannabe, Dave’s insights have been read by 10’s of people for years. He hope’s for world peace + global relaxation. Enjoy and remember only smoke things that are completely natural.