[7:30 PM] Kings @ Canadiens

Who will WIN this matchup?

Los Angeles Kings (7-6-0)

@ Montreal Canadiens (11-1-1)

 

Starting Goalies:

Peter Budaj(LAK): Likely

Carey Price(MON): Confirmed

 

Current odds:

Los Angeles Kings: (+115)

Montreal Canadiens: (-135)

 

• The Montreal Canadiens own the best record in the NHL and will put their perfect home record on the line when they host the resurgent Los Angeles Kings on Thursday night. The Canadiens have lost only once in regular in 13 games and are a spotless 8-0-0 at the Bell Centre, but they will be tested by the suddenly explosive Kings.

• Goaltender Peter Budaj, who started the season in the minors before injuries to Jonathan Quick and Jeff Zatkoff, will be returning to the city where he spent three seasons as a backup, appearing in 54 games (48 starts) with Montreal from 2011-14. Budaj has started 10 consecutive games for the Kings and is coming off consecutive shutouts.

• Montreal nosedived when Price suffered a season-ending injury a year ago in late November, but he is off an an 8-0-0 start with a 1.63 goals-against average. Price’s superb play has masked a bigger issue on the defensive end — the Canadiens have permitted a staggering 163 shots on goal over the past four games, prompting a reminder from forward Alexander Radulov that Price is “not an ironman.” In five starts against Los Angeles, Price owns a 4-1-0 record and 2.49 GAA.

• Radulov has six points in his last four games overall and eight in eight contests against Los Angeles.

• The Kings are 0-for-18 with the man advantage over the past six games.

• Montreal has allowed seven power-play goals in 12 chances over the past three games

 

StreakSmarts Pick: Montreal Canadians

Confidence: 5/10

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