8:10 pm
June 24

Golden Knights @ Canadiens

Who will WIN this matchup?

Vegas Golden Knights (40-14-2)

@ Montreal Canadiens (24-21-11)

 

Starting Goalies:

Robin Lehner (VGK): Likely

Carey Price (MON): Unconfirmed

 

Current odds:

Vegas Golden Knights: (-140)

Montreal Canadiens: (+120)

 

• With their season on the line, the Vegas Golden Knights will ready themselves to face the host Montreal Canadiens on Thursday night in Game 6 of their Stanley Cup playoffs semifinal series. The biggest question facing the struggling Golden Knights is whether their problems against the Canadiens have to do with issues between the boards or between their ears. The Canadiens gained a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series with Tuesday’s 4-1 victory and are on the verge of reaching their first Stanley Cup Final since they won the title in 1993.

• The Golden Knights tied the Colorado Avalanche for most points in the league during the regular season at 82, were the top defensive team (2.18 goals allowed per game) and third offensively (3.39 goals scored).

• Coming off a series victory over the Avalanche, they appeared to be rolling but have had their struggles in the series. Of their top seven regular-season goal scorers, only Max Pacioretty has tallied in this series, and his goal was a meaningless third-period marker in Tuesday’s loss.

• During Stanley Cup playoffs semifinal history, teams that take a 3-2 lead have a .758 winning percentage in Game 6 (47-15). The Canadiens regained the edge by rebounding from a disappointing Game 4 loss in which they blew a late lead and lost in overtime.

• Also taking the Canadiens on their magical run is their defending, and not just goaltender Carey Price. The Canadiens have not allowed a power-play goal in the past 12 games, the longest postseason streak since the NHL began tracking goals by strength in 1933-34. They are 28-for-28 on the penalty kill in that span.

• Neither the pressure-packed moment nor the absence of their head coach have altered the Canadiens’ focus. If anything, they have shown even more resolve of late. “That’s been our mindset this whole playoffs, continuing to do what we do, regardless of what happens,” veteran forward Eric Staal said. “I don’t think we change much. We do what we do every single shift. Every moment we have, every opportunity, we have to try and be difference-makers for our team. Each guy does that.”

4/10
Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
Montreal Canadiens
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