Tomas Tatar, Max Domi, and the Montreal Canadiens are set to do battle against Artemi Panarin, Matt Duchene, and the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena in an Eastern Conference matchup. The game gets going at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 28, and fans at home can watch the game live on The Sports Network.
Montreal Canadiens at Columbus Blue Jackets Odds
The Blue Jackets (-160) are tabbed as the favorites over the Canadiens (+140) and oddsmakers have put the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals (-120 money on the over, +100 on the under).
Columbus is 42-34 straight-up (SU) and has recorded -2.0 units for moneyline bettors thus far. That winning percentage, the third-best in the Metropolitan Division so far in this young season, is right in line with what the team produced during the 2017-18 season (45-37). 43 of the team’s 76 matches have gone under the total, while 27 have gone over and just six have pushed. The team’s 21-18 SU at home this season.
The Blue Jackets have converted on just 15.5 percent of their power play chances this season, a mark that puts them in the bottom-5 overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked third overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 84.5 percent of all penalties.
Averaging 25.8 saves per game with a .911 save percentage, Sergei Bobrovsky (33 wins, 24 losses, and one OT loss) has been the top option in goal for Columbus this season. If the Jackets choose to rest him, however, the team may roll with Joonas Korpisalo (9-16-16 record, .898 save percentage, 2.96 goals against average).
Over on the other bench, Montreal is 41-36 straight up (SU) and has earned 5.4 units for moneyline bettors this season. Through 77 regular season contests, 41 of its games have gone under the total, while 32 have gone over and just four have pushed. As an away team, the Canadiens are 18-20 SU.
The Canadiens have converted on just 12.5 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a figure that places them in the bottom- overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 17th overall and it’s successfully defended 80.6 percent of all opponent power plays.
Carey Price (2.49 goals against average and .918 save percentage) has been the main option in goal for Montreal. Price is averaging 27.3 saves per game and owns a 33-29-6 record.
Montreal Canadiens vs. Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Predictions
Pick: SU Winner – Blue Jackets, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- The Blue Jackets are 1-1 in games decided by a shootout this season while the Canadiens are 2-0 in shootouts.
- The total has gone under in each of Columbus’ last five games.
- Eight of Montreal’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 5-3 in those games.
- Montreal skaters have accounted for the fifth-most hits in the league (26.9 per game).
