The Montreal Canadiens are facing elimination from the NHL playoffs, and they will also have to deal with a goaltending controversy as they host the Philadelphia Flyers at the Bell Center for Game 4 on Saturday. BetOnline.com has the Montreal Canadiens -165 odds favorites as an NHL Playoff prediction against the Philadelphia Flyers +145 with the over/under set at 5 goals +100 reduced juice.
Special teams and some hot goaltending was the story for the Flyers in Game 4's 4-2 victory, as they scored twice on the power play, while Martin Biron had another spectacular game with 36 saves. The Flyers were second only to the Canadiens in terms of power-play success during the regular season, and they took full advantage of their chances in Game 4. Meanwhile, Biron is playing as well as any goalie left in the NHL postseason, and as past years has proven, a hot netminder can take any team very deep into the playoffs. R.J. Umberger paced the offense with a pair of goals, while Daniel Briere had a goal and an assist for the Flyers.
The Canadiens cannot say they have stability in goal, as Jaroslav Halak was given the nod over Carey Price for Game 4. Halak played well, stopping 22 of 25 shots, but the consensus is that the Canadiens should have stuck with the player that got them to the playoffs. The difference between Philadelphia and Montreal is that the Canadiens failed to capitalize on the power play, especially in the first period when they had two great opportunities. Once again, the Montreal offense did not find their game until the final period, and to be successful in the playoffs, you need to play a solid 60-minute game. Captain Saku Koivu scored for the second consecutive game for the Canadiens.
The Canadiens are -165 favorites at home to extend this series to a sixth game, and it will be interesting to see who the starting goaltender will be. Odds are on Price to regain his spot, as he has the confidence of the home fans, who will be as loud as ever. The Canadiens have run into a hot goaltender in Biron, but they need to keep peppering the Philadelphia goal. Eventually, Biron will break. Look for Price to have a big game in his return as the Canadiens will head back to Philadelphia with a victory on Saturday. Get your Free NHL Playoff Prediction in Now!
Philadelphia Flyers at Montreal Canadiens – 7:00 PM ET
Free NHL Playoff Prediction: Montreal Canadiens
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