How Should You Bet Montreal Against the N.Y. Islanders Tonight?
The NHL schedule slows down on Friday night with two games on the schedule. Now, the good news is that Montreal and Winnipeg are in action.
A smaller slate like this gives everyone a little breather and a chance to simplify things for Ontario sports betting players. Let’s begin.
What about the Montreal Canadiens on Friday night?
The game on Friday night takes on a more somber significance with the passing of New York Islanders legend and Montreal native son, Mike Bossy. Bossy was 65 years old and arguably was one of the best pure-goal scorers in the history of the NHL.
This is one of those games now that just doesn’t feel right under the circumstances. Consider that Montreal was a modest 2.3 underdog with an Over of 5.5 running at 1.83. It will now be a game with heavy hearts on both sides.
New York has more talent overall in all phases. They have decided edges when it comes to defense and goaltending.
With Montreal having Jake Allen out and the return of Carey Price, after not playing all season, that may only heighten New York’s chances. That debate may move the numbers some, however.
The Islanders are 6-4 in their past 10 games and have endured two stinkers against superior opponents in Pittsburgh and St. Louis.
Under the circumstances, Montreal’s three-game losing streak and the Bossy news take some of the air out of this game. It is tough to admit, but this arguably moves the needle more to New York than Montreal.
A goal-scoring prop bet for an impressionable Cole Caufield could be an avenue to look toward tonight.
From the Islanders' side of things, Brock Nelson and Anders Lee are prime candidates as well. This is especially true if New York gets a few power plays. Montreal ranks 28th on the penalty kill and penalty minutes committed.
The other side of the coin says to the look to that Over set at just 5.5. Montreal was pretty underwhelming against Columbus on Wednesday. That likely does not happen twice. The Bell Centre will have some more buzz with Price back in goal. That said, a goal-scoring “show” would be pleasing to one of the best in Mike Bossy.
Just a bit more on the legend of Mike Bossy
When betting in sports, it is fun to be fascinated with numbers naturally. What Bossy did on the ice was nothing short of amazing.
Imagine the number of goal props the New York Islander great could have connected on.
This was a player who averaged more than 0.76 goals per game throughout his 10-year playing career. Overall, Bossy averaged 1.5 points.
There were all the team accolades which the forward greatly cherished. Some of his accomplishments boggled even the most astute of hockey pundits.
The nine consecutive 50-goal campaigns included five 60+ goal seasons. There were so many stats on Bossy that were incredible. Few players could score 95 power-play goals in their first four years in the league. Out of his 573 goals, 80 were of the game-winning variety from Bossy. He scored in any situation. There was no fear.
Simply, the talent was ruthlessly efficient. Before his last season got derailed by numerous back issues, the first nine years saw Bossy’s shooting percentage never dip below 20%. That is unheard of today. Few come close for several seasons, let alone nine.
Finally, Bossy was gold in the playoffs. His goals per game ranked second all-time and playoff points ranked fourth. The forward helped win four Stanley Cups in New York and won the Conn Smythe in 1982. He truly would have been a bettors’ dream then. Bossy was so much more. He was a talent on the ice and an even better person off of it.
Bossy will never be forgotten and truly will be forever missed.
Lastly, we take a look at Winnipeg.
Winnipeg returns to action in Florida on Friday night
Now, NHL betting takes a bit of a turn on Friday night as the Winnipeg Jets travel to Florida to spend the weekend playing the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning.
That seems to be a bit unfair under the circumstances. After all, Mark Scheifele will not make this road trip because of an injury. Winnipeg is also eight points out of a playoff spot with eight games to play.
It does feel like the Jets are running out of time. They face a Florida team that is 31-6 at home while averaging more than four goals a game.
Florida is a stacked machine that can outscore a team for fun. If Winnipeg was fully healthy, this game would be far more compelling.
Connor Hellebuyck is the only thing that could help the Under of 7.0 hit on Friday night. That does not mean it will happen, but the Jets’ goaltender has had four quality starts in his past five games.
That one bad game, unfortunately, was against the Colorado Avalanche. He allowed five goals there.
There is an idea to look at the team Over of 2.5 goals for Winnipeg and that is a good choice for a small wager.
The puckline is again an avenue, but do watch the number (2.00 now). If that moves, look to some Winnipeg goal props for Nikolaj Ehlers and maybe Kyle Connor instead of that Florida angle.
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