Prediction: Pittsburgh Penguins VS Montréal Canadiens 2025-12-20
Penguins vs. Canadiens: A Tale of Two Legends and a Goalie’s Circus Past
The Pittsburgh Penguins and Montreal Canadiens clash on Saturday, December 20, 2025, in a game that’s part history lesson, part Olympic tryout, and part “will Sidney Crosby finally pass Mario Lemieux?” endurance test. Let’s break it down with the precision of a Zamboni on a tight schedule.
Parsing the Odds: Who’s the Favorite?
The bookmakers have the Canadiens as a 1.5-goal favorite, with decimal odds hovering around 1.70 for Montreal and 2.15–2.20 for Pittsburgh. Converting that to implied probabilities:
- Montreal: ~58.8% chance to win.
- Pittsburgh: ~45.5% chance to win.
The total goals line sits at 6.0–6.5, with “Over” odds slightly shorter than “Under,” suggesting bookmakers expect a moderately high-scoring game. The spread (-1.5 for Montreal) implies the Canadiens need to win comfortably to satisfy bettors.
News Digest: Bolduc’s Breakout, Crosby’s Quest
Montreal Canadiens: Fresh off a 4-3 win over Chicago, Zachary Bolduc is the story. The 22-year-old scored his first Bell Centre goal and looked like a man reborn, dominating puck battles and outmuscling defenders like a hockey-shaped wrecking ball. Paired with Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield, Montreal’s top line is finally clicking at even strength. Suzuki, vying for an Olympic roster spot, leads the team with 39 points—proving he’s more than just a pretty assist man.
Pittsburgh Penguins: Sidney Crosby is one goal shy of passing Mario Lemieux as the Penguins’ all-time scorer. The 38-year-old captain has 35 points this season, but his team’s record (14-10-9) lags behind Montreal’s (18-12-4). Crosby’s 70-point career edge against the Habs is impressive, but can he keep up with a Canadiens squad riding Bolduc’s momentum? Also, let’s not forget: Penguins fans are still waiting for Crosby to “defect” to Montreal. It’s not happening. Probably.
Humorous Spin: Pucks, Puns, and Parity
- Crosby’s Milestone: If Sidney scores tonight, he’ll pass Lemieux—a feat like a Swiss watchmaker finally catching up to a Swiss train. But let’s be real: The Penguins’ power play is about as reliable as a toaster in a blizzard. They’ll need a Crosby magic hour to make history.
- Bolduc’s Breakout: The Canadiens’ new star is so hot right now, even the Zamboni operator is jealous. If this line keeps rolling, Bolduc might start scoring goals faster than a Canadiens fan can say “We want the Cup.”
- The Spread Dilemma: Montreal’s -1.5 line is like asking a vegan to lose 1.5 pounds—technically possible, but why make it so hard? The Habs need to win by two, which, in hockey terms, is about as likely as a Penguins fan admitting Montreal has better beer.
Prediction: The Final Whistle
While Crosby’s legacy and the Penguins’ historical grit are undeniable, Montreal’s current momentum, Bolduc’s emergence, and home-ice advantage tilt the scales. The Canadiens’ top line is cooking with gas, and Juraj Slafkovsky’s support on the second line adds depth. Pittsburgh’s reliance on Crosby to carry the offense (he’s their leading scorer by 15 points!) is a one-man show in a league that loves to shut down legends.
Final Score Prediction: Montreal 4, Pittsburgh 2.
Why? Bolduc scores a goal, Suzuki dishes assists like a hockey Santa, and the Penguins’ defense trips over its own skates trying to contain the Canadiens’ offense. Crosby gets his milestone later in the week—probably in Pittsburgh, where the Zamboni will serenely wait for him to pass Lemieux.
Bet on Montreal to cover the spread, unless you enjoy the dramatic irony of a last-minute Penguins comeback. Then, by all means, live on the edge. 🏒
Created: Dec. 20, 2025, 9:24 a.m. GMT