This Monday, June 14 is the first game of the Stanley Cup Semifinals between the Vegas Golden Knights and Montreal Canadiens. The Golden Knights are heavy favorites, but could Montreal outscore this Vegas team to pull off the upset?
Here is The Game Day’s Golden Knights vs Canadiens prediction and bets for the 2021 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs in our Vegas-Montreal Stanley Cup Semifinal series preview.
Vegas Golden Knights vs Montreal Canadiens Prediction: 2021 NHL Stanley Cup Semifinal Bet Picks Preview
Vegas Golden Knights vs Montreal Canadiens Matchup
The Vegas Golden Knights were one of the top-scoring teams all season and continued that in the second round against Colorado averaging 3.33 goals per game. However, Vegas faces a Montreal team that has proven capable of scoring goals in bunches. Montreal goes up against a Golden Knights team that can control even-strength play even better than the Canadiens.
Currently, BetMGM has the Golden Knights as a -450 favorite to win the series against the Canadiens.
BetMGM offers a Risk-Free Bet for up to $600 for new players. .
Vegas Golden Knights Round 2 Recap
The Vegas Golden Knights played the best regular-season team in the Colorado Avalanche. Vegas defeated them in six games. The Golden Knights felt like it was more like an eight-game series.
Vegas was led by several clutch performances from Marc-Andre Fleury. The goaltender was very good in net and punctuated the five-game series win with a 30-save performance in Game 5. Fleury won four straight games for Vegas after losing Game 2 in overtime (Robin Lehner started Game 1 as Fleury rested).
The Golden Knights got offense from quite a few contributors. Max Pacioretty scored in Game 6 and had an assist to give him seven points in six games. Jonathan Marchessault led Vegas with five goals and also had seven points in the series. Alex Pietrangelo heated up from the blueline with a goal and four assists over the final four games of Round 2. William Karlsson struck twice and added five assists. Mark Stone and Reilly Smith were also excellent offensively.
Vegas Golden Knights center Jonathan Marchessault’s scoring in Round 2 helped propel the Knights to the NHL semifinals. (Image: USA TODAY Sports)
Montreal Canadiens Round 2 Recap
The Montreal Canadiens had the easiest second round out of the four remaining teams. They swept the Winnipeg Jets and were rewarded with a week off as a result. Montreal has now won seven straight games dating back to Round 1 versus the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Montreal found ways to create offense as they scored 14 times in the four-game series. The Canadiens saw Tyler Toffoli score twice including two game-winning goals and three assists. Nick Suzuki tallied twice and had four points in the series. Even Joel Armia scored twice short-handed in one game and added an assist. Production was spread out as seven different players had three points apiece.
The Canadiens were led in net by the unflappable Carey Price. Price stopped 97 of 103 shots in the four games against Winnipeg. That included a shutout and stopping 57 of 60 shots in two road wins where Price stole the show.
Vegas Golden Knights vs Montreal Canadiens Prediction & Bet Pick
This series should go six games, and yet this should be one Vegas ultimately wins. Montreal expects to prove they are no fluke. Vegas has a little more experience at this stage and that should pay dividends as this series gets into its later stages.
Golden Knights vs Canadiens Series Prediction
Vegas Golden Knights in 6 games
Golden Knights vs Canadiens Bet Pick
Vegas Golden Knights to win series (-450) at BetMGM
BetMGM offers a Risk-Free Bet for up to $600 for new players. and place 2021 Stanley Cup Playoff bets today.
Read our Tampa Bay Lightning vs New York Islanders prediction for the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs semifinals.
Golden Knights vs. Canadiens Schedule
Game 1: Monday, June 14, 9 p.m. ET (NBCSN, SN, CBC)
Game 2: Wednesday, June 16, 8 p.m. ET (NBCSN, SN, CBC)
Game 3: Friday, June 18, 8 p.m. ET (USA, SN, CBC)
Game 4: Sunday, June 20, 8 p.m. ET (NBCSN, SN, CBC)
*Game 5: Tuesday, June 22, 8 p.m. ET (NBCSN, SN, CBC)
*Game 6: Thursday, June 24, 8 p.m. ET (USA, SN, CBC)
*Game 7: Saturday, June 26, 8 p.m. ET (NBCSN, SN, CBC)
* if necessary
