$FML's Best Bet for NHL Tuesday - 1/24

It’s the NHL’s best team (Boston @ 37-5-4) vs. 7th worst (Montreal @ 20-24-3), and the latter’s best player (Cole Caufield) was just placed on IR (shoulder surgery, out for season).

Even if Caufield could play, it wouldn’t matter. Boston’s been brilliant in this head-to-head matchup lately, winning 7 straight meetings by an aggregate score of 33-to-11. These “Original 6” teams have yet to clash this season, but to be blunt: the Home Underdogs don’t stand a bloody chance. The most glaring mismatch between the current clubs relates to Special Teams, and it’ll be Montreal’s downfall. The Bruins boast the NHL’s 3rd best Power Play percentage, while the Canadiens surrender the 5th most Power Play opportunities per game with the 7th worst Penalty Kill rate.

All these things point to a bloodbath in Canada tonight, and I want action on it. While a spread bet is tempting, I prefer the value for the price in the Player Prop market. The options feel endless but for my best bet, I’m backing Boston superstar Brad Marchand to find the scoresheet at least twice. Betting #63, a Canada native, to record multiple points vs. Montreal is 4-1 since 2020 on a balanced combination of goals (5) and assists (5). It’s worth noting 9 of those 10 points came in 5v5 situations (i.e., even strength), too. Layer on the fact Boston holds a massive special teams advantage tonight, and it paves a clear path for Mr. Marchand to record multiple points again vs. his fellow countrymen.