Two teams facing each other for the second time this season, the New Jersey Devils and the Montreal Canadiens clash at Bell Centre. Sportsnet will broadcast this Eastern Conference matchup, and the opening face-off takes place at 7:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, November 28.
New Jersey Devils at Montreal Canadiens Odds
Montreal (-155) is currently the favorite over New Jersey (+135) and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at an even 6 goals. The line for betting that total stands at -120 for the over and even money (+100) for the under.
The Canadiens are 11-13 straight up (SU) and have spited moneyline bettors to the tune of -4.3 units so far. That early-season winning percentage is a slide from what the team managed during last year’s regular season (44-38). Of its 24 games this season, 14 have gone over the total, while nine have gone under and just one has pushed. Thus far, the team is 6-7 SU at home.
Montreal’s converted on 18.9 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is rated 32nd overall, and it’s successfully killed off 71.6 percent of all penalties.
As a collective unit, Montreal has been penalized just 3.1 times per game overall this season, 3.2 per game over its past five outings total, and 3.4 per game over its last five home outings. The team has had to defend opposition power plays for just 6.6 minutes per game over its last 10 outings, overall.
Averaging 27.0 saves per game with a .900 save percentage, Carey Price (10 wins, 10 losses, and three OT losses) has been the primary option in goal for the Canadiens this season. If they choose to give him the night off, however, the team could turn to Keith Kinkaid (1-4-4 record, .877 save percentage, 4.29 goals against average).
Tomas Tatar and Shea Weber will each be offensive focal points for the Canadiens. Tatar (21 points) has tallied seven goals and 14 assists and has recorded two or more points in four different games this year. Weber has eight goals and 11 assists to his name and has notched at least one point in 13 games.
On the visitors’ side of the ice, New Jersey is 8-15 straight up (SU) and has lost 7.8 units for bettors taking the moneyline thus far. Through 23 regular season matches, 12 of its games have gone over the total, while 10 have gone under the total and just one has pushed. New Jersey’s 4-6 SU as a road team this season.
New Jersey has converted on just 14.6 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s ranked 26th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 22nd overall and it’s successfully killed off 77.5 percent of all penalties.
New Jersey’s players have been penalized 4.0 times per game this season, 4.4 per game over their past five outings total, and 4.4 per game over their last five road outings. The team’s been forced to stave off opponent power plays just 8.4 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
MacKenzie Blackwood (3.07 goals against average and .898 save percentage) has been the primary option in goal for New Jersey. Blackwood is averaging 25.8 saves per game and has seven wins, nine losses, and three OT losses to his credit.
Taylor Hall (four goals, 17 assists) has been one of the primary offensive facilitators for the visiting Devils.
New Jersey Devils vs. Montreal Canadiens Betting Predictions
Free Prediction: SU Winner – Canadiens, O/U – Over
Betting Notes
- For both of these teams, the over has hit in four of their past five outings.
- New Jersey has managed 31.2 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Montreal is averaging 36.4 shots per game over its last five home outings.
- The Devils are 3-7 in games where they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 3-11 when they’re in the penalty box for fewer than 10 total minutes.
- New Jersey is 1-3 in games decided by a shootout this season while Montreal is 2-1 in shootouts.
- Montreal is ranked 16th in the NHL with 7.4 takeaways per game. That figure’s trended higher, as it has created 8.9 takeaways over its last 10 games and 10.4 takeaways over its last five.
- New Jersey has managed 4.8 takeaways per game over its last five road games, a drop-off from its season average of 6.5 takeaways per game (ranked 27th in the league).
