The Montreal Canadiens, led by Max Domi and Jonathan Drouin, are set to take the ice against Artemi Panarin, Cam Atkinson, and the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena for an Eastern Conference showdown. The game will get underway at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, January 18, and you’ll be able to see the game live on The Sports Network.
Montreal Canadiens vs. Columbus Blue Jackets Odds
The Blue Jackets (-160) are favored over the Canadiens (+140) and oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals (-110 over, -110 under).
Columbus is 28-18 straight up (SU) and has netted 3.8 units for moneyline bettors this year. That winning percentage, ranked fifth in the league in this young season, isn’t too far off from to the 45-37 record the team managed during last year’s regular season campaign. Out of its 46 regular season matches, 24 of them have gone under the total, while 18 have gone over and just four have pushed. This year, the team’s 14-10 SU at home.
The Blue Jackets have converted on just 14.5 percent of their power play chances this year, a mark that’s ranked 28th overall in the NHL. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 10th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 82.0 percent of all penalties.
Averaging 25.7 saves per game with a .903 save percentage, Sergei Bobrovsky (19-14-1) has been the primary option in goal for Columbus this year. If the Jackets, however, decide to give him the night off, the team might turn to Joonas Korpisalo (9-9-9 record, .902 save percentage, 2.94 goals against average).
In the other locker room, Montreal is 26-22 straight up (SU) and has earned 6.7 units for moneyline bettors this season. A total of 25 of its games have gone under the total, while 21 have gone over and just two have pushed. As the away team, the Canadiens are 13-11 SU so far.
The Canadiens have converted on just 13.0 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s ranked 31st in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 18th overall and it’s successfully killed off 79.2 percent of all penalties.
Carey Price (.912 save percentage and 2.65 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for Montreal. Price is averaging 26.8 saves per game and has 18 wins, 18 losses, and four OT losses to his credit.
Montreal Canadiens at Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Predictions
NHL Pick: SU Winner – Blue Jackets, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- The total has gone under in four of Montreal’s last five outings.
- Montreal has managed 30.4 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Columbus is averaging 34.8 shots per game over its last five at home.
- Montreal skaters have accounted for the league’s fourth-most hits per game (27.0), but that number’s down to just 20.8 hits over their last five away games.
