Predators Hunt Value in Montreal as Goaltending Gap Looms Large

The Canadiens welcome Nashville to the Bell Centre on Thursday, and while home ice usually means something in this league, the crease situation tells a different story. Montreal's Jakub Dobes has been a sieve through three starts—an .857 save percentage and 4.44 GAA that would make a beer league tender blush. Meanwhile, the Predators counter with Justus Annunen, who logged a respectable .907 SV% and 2.68 GAA across 23 appearances last season. That's not Vezina territory, but it's lightyears ahead of what Montreal is trotting out right now.

The Habs are bleeding goals at 4.67 per game, and their defensive structure looks more like a suggestion than a system. Nashville, by contrast, is allowing just 3.0 per contest—a full goal-and-a-half stingier. The market is giving Montreal respect for the home crowd and perhaps some misplaced faith in early-season variance, but the fundamentals scream Nashville.

DarkHorse has the Predators at +150 with moderate confidence, and it's easy to see why. When one team can't stop a beach ball and the other plays disciplined hockey in front of a competent netminder, you take the plus-money. Fade the Bell Centre buzz and ride the visitors.