Canadiens Now -195 Favorites to Defeat Penguins in Qualifier Series After Game 3 Win
- The Montreal Canadiens own a 2-1 lead over the Pittsburgh Penguins and are now the -195 favorites to win this best-of-five Stanley Cup quaifying-round series
- Is the #12 seed in the Eastern Conference actually poised to advance to the Round of 16?
- Analysis of this turn of events and predictions on the outcome follow in the story below
At the start of the NHL’s return to play competition, the Montreal Canadiens were given a better chance of getting Alexis Lafreniere than they were of getting the better of the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Entering Game 3 of the Stanley Cup qualifying-round series between the two teams, the Habs were +125 underdogs to capture the series. Pittsburgh was a -195 favorite. At the same time, Montreal were the +1000 favorites to win the NHL Draft Lottery and the right to draft Rimouski Oceanic phenom Lafreniere with the first overall pick.
The Canadiens were also the longest shot on the board in the Stanley Cup odds at +6000.
What a difference a day makes. In Game 3 on Wednesday, the Canadiens flipped the scoreboard, and that flipped the script. Montreal rallied from a 3-1 deficit for a 4-3 victory to take a 2-1 lead in this best-of-five set.
Oddsmakers now stamp the Canadiens as the -195 chalk to capture the series.
Montreal Canadiens vs Pittsburgh Penguins Series Odds
| Team | Odds at DraftKings |
|---|---|
| Montreal Canadiens | -195 |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | +160 |
Odds taken Aug. 6
Montreal can close out the Penguins with a victory in Game 4 at 4:00 pm EST on Friday.
Canadiens Display Winning Habits
As Game 3 unfolded, the script looked to be playing out much like the experts anticipated. The Penguins registered three unaswered goals – two of them in a span of 59 seconds – to assemble their 3-1 advantage.
Pittsburgh displayed its skill. Then Montreal displayed its will.
Playoff series are about imposing that will upon the opposition and taking control of a game and ultimately, a series. That’s what the Canadiens did in the second half of Game 3.
Jonathan Drouin and Paul Byron, both with their first goals of the series, tied the count before the conclusion of the second frame. Then Jeff Petry – son of 1984 Detroit Tigers World Series winner Dan Petry – was Montreal’s game-winning hero for the second time.
Petry becomes the 1st #Habs defenceman to have 2 GWG in a playoff year since Chris Chelios 1988-89
— David Amber (@DavidAmber) August 6, 2020
Petry netted the third-period winner. His overtime tally also gave Montreal a Game 1 verdict.
Penguins Search for Answers
In the 2016 Eastern Conference final, the Penguins found themselves in a similar scenario. They were down 3-2 to the Tampa Bay Lightning, needing consecutive wins to survive and advance.
Penguins coach Mike Sullivan made the bold decision to replace veteran Cup-winning goalie Marc-Andre Fleury with rookie Matt Murray.
You can appreciate Matt Murray winning two Cups and still think Tristan Jarry should be playing right now.
It can be both.— Colin Dunlap (@colin_dunlap) August 3, 2020
Pittsburgh rookie goalie Tristan Jarry was a life-saver this season when Murray struggled to find his game. He posted a 2.35 goals-against average and .921 save percentage, both among the top 10 in the league. Might Sullivan give Jarry his first career playoff start with Pittsburgh’s season on the line?
The defensive pairing of Jack Johnson and Justin Schultz continue to be a nightmare for the Pens. Johnson (47.4) and Schultz (47.3) show almost identical Corsi numbers for the series. They were a combined -5 in Game 3.
Goals scored with Jack Johnson on the ice this series:
Penguins 1
Montreal 5Goals scored with him on the bench:
Penguins 6
Montreal 2— Dad Chad (@madchad412) August 6, 2020
Johnson played 10:57 of even-strength ice time in Game 3 and was on the ice for three goals against. Schultz was victimized for a pair of Montreal goals.
Is It 2010 All Over Again?
In the 2010 playoffs, Pittsburgh was defending Stanley Cup champion. Montreal, the #8 seed, ended up rolling the Penguins in the second round of the playoffs.
Montreal is one win away from advancing. Chicago is one win away from advancing.
Also: Pittsburgh is one loss away from a 1-8 shot at the No. 1 overall pick. Same for Edmonton. 😳#midsummermadness
— Jamie Hersch (@JamieHersch) August 6, 2020
That scenario appears to be playing out once more. Just as Jaroslav Halak did in 2010, Carey Price is dominating in goal for Montreal. Pittsburgh looks like a team living on its resume and not capable of delivering results.
Pick: Montreal Canadiens (-195)
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
