Sitting seventh in the Atlantic Division and wading in the middle of the pack in the Eastern Conference, the Habs are enjoying a pretty good season—comparatively, at least. The team just called up Anthony Richard, who may offer an added boost as the season continues. Throw in an overtime win against Arizona Coyotes, and the year is closing out well for the Habs.
Many fans are waiting with bated breath to see how the rest of the season will pan out. Some are also hedging their bets on the team—literally. As the most popular sport in Quebec, online sports betting markets cover ice hockey extensively. Most of that attention focuses on the NHL, including moneylines, over/unders, props, and futures galore. One of the most interesting new categories is period markets.
Period markets let bettors comb through different odds on each period in the regular season and postseason games. For example, if selecting a totals line for the whole game seems too simple, then dive into total goals-per-period.
With so many variations available to bettors today, which lines are ideal for Habs fans? Let’s dive into the options below.
The Habs Take on the Bruins
January 25, 2023
Will the Habs beat the Bruins in late January during an Eastern Conference faceoff? It’s a bit too early for oddsmakers to take a side, but the rivalry between both teams means that neither fanbase is likely to budge. If you’re looking to have a bit of fun backing the Habs, then there’s no better regular-season game.
The Bruins sit first in the Atlantic Division, so it might not be the best idea to back the Habs for a moneyline win. However, there are plenty of other entertaining bets. Will Arber Xhekaj find his way into the penalty box each period? And will Cole Caufield find a way to notch a few goals?
The Sabres Faceoff
March 28, 2023
Though not nearly as bitter and ingrained as the Habs’ rivalry with the Bruins, the Canadiens will have to battle hard against the Buffalo Sabres if they want to earn a few points in March. The Sabres notched a dominant 7-2 win during their last faceoff in late November… but on October 28, the cards were in the Habs’ favour when they pulled off a 3-2 victory.
This leaves a bit more space for fans to back that moneyline against the Sabres. Another good bet would be to wager on totals per period, as mentioned above. Given how high-scoring both faceoffs have been this season, totals bets will provide a rewarding challenge for bettors.
Cole Caufield Scores Big Time
Looking at specific games might not be every fan’s forte. In this case, you may want to stick to wagering on certain players. After all, if you’re a fan of scoring, then you’re probably keeping your eye on Caufield anytime he’s on the rink.
The more you know about a player, the more insights you have into when and how they traditionally score. This gives you an edge in prop betting when it comes to wagers like scoring.
Nick Suzuki for the Power Play
Caufield may be the Canadiens’ most prolific scorer this season, but some props focus on power plays. Being able to deliver during a power play is one of the most important elements of NHL action—and the Habs have Nicholas Suzuki to take care of business when the red lights start flashing.
As one of the team’s most dynamic players, just about any wager on Suzuki is interesting enough, but backing Suzuki to tear things up during a power play focuses on his specialty.
Kirby Dach for the Assist
Aside from goal-scoring and a penchant for power plays, assists are one of the top offensive elements to watch. After all, the goal-scorer tends to take home all the glory, but it’s the playmaker toiling in the center of the rink to set up assists who gets the ball (or puck) rolling.
For this reason, player props on assists are also a great option for Habs fans.