Boston Bruins vs Montreal Canadiens

David Pastrnak and the struggling Bruins hit the road for Montreal amid a five-game losing streak, and with pride but not playoff hopes left on the table. Boston's offense has slipped dramatically in this final stretch of the season, tallying just seven goals in their last five games and missing the two-way presence of Charlie Coyle, who's still day-to-day with a lower-body injury. Meanwhile, the Habs are clinging desperately to a playoff push, but they've dropped three of their last four despite solid goaltending from Samuel Montembeault. Montreal’s top-line production has been sporadic, although Cole Caufield brings some spark, having notched six goals in 12 career games against the B’s. Both teams rank in the bottom third of the league in goals per game, and given the cautious, grinding style they both revert to in high-stakes matchups—especially with playoff pressure only on the Canadiens—expect a low-scoring affair. Combine that with historically tight games between these Original Six foes and the recent lack of offensive firepower, and the under looks like the cautious but correct play. Grade: B—decent value, but sharp bettors might wait for the line to move. Odds and availability are subject to change.

The Bruins limp into Montreal riding a two-game skid, but they'll look to regain rhythm as they take on a Canadiens team that’s dropped four straight and appears to be fading fast. Boston has a playoff spot largely secured, while the Habs' postseason hopes are hanging by a thread, which could add urgency — or pressure. More important, Montreal is missing key depth on the blue line with defenseman Kaiden Guhle out, and captain Nick Suzuki is questionable with an upper-body injury. That could spell trouble against a Bruins squad getting solid two-way production from Pastrnak, the latter averaging over a point per game against Montréal across his career. Linus Ullmark's rebound performance last start suggests he's locked back in, which puts added pressure on Jake Allen, who starts for the Habs and has struggled mightily in his last three outings. While betting the Puckline with Boston has been high risk in recent weeks, the Canadiens’ defensive injuries plus their slide against quality teams gives value here. The -1.5 line feels charitable against a depleted Montreal side, though the Bruins' inconsistency tempers expectations. This play earns a cautious Grade B- based on mid-tier risk and a decent payout potential. Odds and availability are subject to change.