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Golden Knights vs Canadiens Game 3 Odds, Trends and Best Bet – Vegas Favored On the Road

Chris Wassel

by Chris Wassel in NHL Hockey

Updated Jun 17, 2021 · 5:53 PM PDT

Alex Pietrangelo high-fives along bench
Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Alex Pietrangelo greets teammates after scoring during the third period in Game 2 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup semifinal playoff series against the Montreal Canadiens, Wednesday, June 16, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
  • The Golden Knights and Canadiens play Game 3 of their Stanley Cup playoff series on Friday, June 18th (8pm ET)
  • Montreal held on to win 3-2 in Game 2 to gain a split in Las Vegas as Carey Price stopped 29 of 31 shots.
  • Read below for the odds, game preview, and betting pick

The Golden Knights and Canadiens continue their best-of-seven series. Game 3 will be played on Friday, June 18th (8pm ET) at Bell Centre and will be broadcast on USA Network.

Vegas is currently listed as a strong -162 road favorite to take a 2-1 series lead.

Can Montreal find a way to stun Vegas one more time and consolidate home-ice advantage?

Golden Knights vs Canadiens Game 3 Odds

Team Moneyline at DraftKings Puckline Total
Vegas Golden Knights -162 -1.5 (+170) O 5 (-143)
Montreal Canadiens +140 +1.5 (-205) U 5 (+118)

Odds as of June 17th

Let’s Give Montreal Some Credit

Vegas generated few chances in the opening 20 minutes during Game 1 and maybe that was understandable. They were fortunate to lead 1-0 then. Adjustments are expected to be made for Game 2. Guess what? Game 2 was even worse. Montreal outplayed Vegas dramatically yet again. This time, Montreal converted a couple of their golden chances. The Canadiens led 2-0 after the opening period and never looked back.

Montreal had eight of the nine high-danger chances in the first 20 on Wednesday night in Vegas. Joel Armia tallied the first goal but then there was Tyler Toffoli who has been Montreal’s most consistent offensive threat these playoffs.

That is some historic company right there. Overall, Toffoli now has 12 points in 13 games this postseason for Montreal. The winger already has five goals in these playoffs to lead all Montreal players.

The way Montreal took a 3-0 lead was easy. They took advantage of the chances created. Montreal held an exaggerated lead in expected goals for during the first 25 minutes or so and even the second-half possession disadvantages were mitigated by the overall higher-danger scoring chances which stayed even.

There was something else, and that was the play of Shea Weber.

Weber looked like the Weber from his Nashville days — especially defensively. He was all over Vegas players all night. Maybe it was the fact that things slow down a little in the playoffs. Space becomes more restrictive. Whatever the case, Weber looked great in Game 2 and delivered a clutch defensive performance when Montreal was under siege.

When the pucks got past the defense, it was Carey Price who held the fort, stopping 29 of 31 shots including several huge saves in the third period to preserve the one-goal lead.

Can Vegas Bounce Back?

For one, someone has to turn off the alarm clock and wake up this Golden Knights team. In the first periods of both games, Montreal has 15 of the first 17 high-danger scoring chances. Both opening periods were dominated by a wide margin and not by Vegas.

The first time Vegas was fortunate but again, in Game 2, the Golden Knights rallied back from the 3-0 deficit but ultimately fell short.

Another issue is their lack of a power play. Vegas converted just one of every seven chances coming into the series (4-for-28 overall). So far, against Montreal, they are 0-for-6.

If there is one bright spot though, Vegas has been able to win defensive faceoffs and take advantage of unblocked shot attempts from the point. Cue Alex Pietrangelo…

Maybe the most encouraging thing about losing Game 2 is that now Vegas will actually address their starts in games because it has gone on throughout most of the last two rounds now.

Golden Knights vs Canadiens Series Odds

Team Odds at DraftKings
Vegas Golden Knights -335
Montreal Canadiens +265

Best Bet

The Golden Knights remain a strong road favorite on Friday night despite the Game 2 loss. It boils down to execution. When Vegas plays a 60-minute game, Montreal will really be in trouble.

One key for Vegas will be playing on the road. They were definitely better in Colorado during Game 5 and that same intensity needs to come with them from the start.

The Golden Knights possess the blueprint to win on Friday night. They can do this. My pick is the Vegas moneyline for Game 3.

Pick: Vegas Golden Knights Moneyline (-162)

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