Face-off: 2230 ET, 09/03/2022
Arena: Rogers Arena
Vancouver sit seven points out of a wild card spot and will be in a determined mood as they look to make it three wins in a row against Montreal.
However, the Canadiens have been a revelation since a change of coach and Martin St Louis has overseen seven wins in the last 10 games.
A close encounter can be expected, so 4.4 for overtime to be needed is the first of our Vancouver Canucks vs Montreal Canadiens predictions.
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Vancouver Canucks Odds
Vancouver coach Bruce Boudreau feels his side are starting to believe they can make the post-season.
When Boudreau took charge of the Canucks in December, the season looked a write-off, but they have picked up and a 6-4 win at Toronto sent them into a seven-match homestand full of confidence.
The head coach said: “I think they’re starting to believe in themselves – and when you have belief, anything can happen.”
Forward JT Miller echoed those sentiments, commenting: “Every game feels like a do-or-die for us, which is good and bad.
“You don’t want to be in this position, but you have to embrace it because you know it has to bring the best out of you. I love it.
“Those games are awesome to play in; the emotion, the energy. That was just an awesome win (against Toronto).
“What it does is give us that much more belief. We’ve got a good thing going right now and we’re excited to start this homestand off and make it hard to play against us these next seven.
“We should fully believe that we can get into the playoffs because that’s what we want to play for, and all these home games coming up will be a good opportunity for us.”
Vancouver will want to start the homestand off on a positive note and 2.2 for them to win the first period stands out from the NHL odds.
Montreal Canadiens Odds
Montreal remain rooted to the foot of the Eastern Conference but St Louis has brought renewed hope to the franchise.
They are still not at full strength, with Jonathan Drouin, Christian Dvorak and Joel Edmundson working their way back from injury and Paul Byron and Jeff Petry also sidelined.
Forward Laurent Dauphin is about to set a record for the most games he has played in a season, though.
Dauphin’s 24 appearances match those made with Arizona in 2016-17 and he is just glad to be taking the opportunity given to him.
He has two goals and five assists this term and said: “I just wanted to establish myself and not just survive. That’s what I’m doing right now.
“My confidence is growing and now I can be the player I want to be in the NHL.”
Dauphin is relishing life under St Louis and is flourishing on a line with Brendan Gallagher and Mike Hoffman.
He added: “Brendan is always working as hard as he can, and I play the same way. We complement each other well. Mike is also an elite shooter. He’s a good fit for our line.
“We’ve been together for a few games. Having that continuity is important. They’re two veterans. I’m comfortable with them.”
The visitors look a completely different side under St Louis and 2.85 for both teams to score at least three goals completes our Vancouver Canucks vs Montreal Canadiens predictions.
Additional stats
Last result:
Toronto 4-6 VANCOUVER
Edmonton 2-5 MONTREAL
Season head-to-head: Montreal 1-2 Vancouver
