Golden Knights vs. Canadiens Prediction, Odds, Betting Lines & Picks for NHL Playoffs Game 1 on FanDuel Sportsbook

Golden Knights vs. Canadiens NHL Game 1 Info

NHL Playoffs Game 1 (Series Tied 0-0)
Vegas Golden Knights (40-14-2) vs. Montreal Canadiens (24-21-11)
Date: Monday, June 14
Time: 9:00 pm ET
Venue: T-Mobile Arena

Golden Knights vs. Canadiens Moneyline, Total and Odds

All Golden Knights-Canadiens betting odds are available on FanDuel Sportsbook
Moneyline: Golden Knights -280 | Canadiens +230
Spread: Golden Knights -1.5 (+112) | Canadiens +1.5 (-134)
Total: 5.5 Over +110 | Under -134
Odds to win Stanley Cup: Golden Knights +110 | Canadiens +1100

Golden Knights vs. Canadiens Predictions and Picks

• 60-minute tie +340

The Vegas Golden Knights and Montreal Canadiens kick off their semifinal series on Monday night. Montreal has had some extra rest after dispatching the Winnipeg Jets in four games, but the Golden Knights have the advantage of being at home over the last six days. Vegas enters as prohibitive favorites, but tonight's contest should be closer than the betting market implies.

Defense has been a priority for the Habs this postseason, and that should help them against the offensively-minded Golden Knights. Montreal has limited their opponents to nine or fewer high-danger chances and 19 or fewer scoring chances at five-on-five in four of their last five games. More importantly, the Habs have out-chanced their opponents in high-danger chances in all five games and in scoring chances in four of those five games.

Carey Price has been the biggest beneficiary of the improved defensive play, as he has faced 30 or fewer shots in four of five, while allowing more than 2 goals only once. Limited chances notwithstanding, Price has been one of the best goalies this postseason, with a playoff-best 93.5% save percentage. The Habs' defensive system, coupled with Price's outstanding play, has made them hard to beat this postseason.

The Habs' structure could make it hard for the Golden Knights to get any offensive traction. Vegas has posted a negative expected goals-for percentage in each of their last two games after getting out-chanced in scoring chances, out-shot, and out-possessed at five-on-five in both games. Despite getting outplayed in both games, the Golden Knights outscored the Colorado Avalanche by a cumulative 9-5 margin. Counterintuitively, Vegas' output has jumped despite the decreased offensive production, and it hard for them to replicate those metrics against a stingy Habs team.

Montreal comes into tonight's contest well-rested with a strong defensive structure in place. The Knights have overachieved relative to production metrics over their recent sample and are at risk of coming back down towards average.

Defense will be on full display in this one, and it should take longer than 60 minutes to determine a winner. We're taking the 60-minute tie at +340, expecting this one to get sorted out in overtime.

Sign up for FanDuel Sportsbook today and get your first bet risk free for up to $1,000!