Kyle Palmieri, Taylor Hall, and the New Jersey Devils are set to face off against Tomas Tatar, Max Domi, and the Montreal Canadiens at Bell Centre in an Eastern Conference showdown. The Sports Network will showcase the game, and the action gets underway at 2 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 2.
New Jersey Devils vs. Montreal Canadiens Odds
With a -165 moneyline, Montreal enters the contest as the substantial favorite. The line for the Devils is standing at +145 and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at an even 6 goals (-120 to bet the over, +100 for the under).
Montreal is 28-23 straight-up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 7.7 units this year. That winning percentage, the third-best in the Atlantic Division so far in this young season, is a refreshing turnaround from how the team performed during the 2017-18 season (29-53). Out of its 51 regular season matches, 27 of them have gone under the total, while 22 have gone over and just two have pushed. The team’s 14-12 SU at home this season.
The Canadiens have converted on just 13.1 percent of their power play chances this year, a figure that’s ranked 31st overall in the NHL. On the other hand, their penalty kill is rated 20th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 79.5 percent of all penalties.
Sporting a .915 save percentage and 27.1 saves per game, Carey Price (20-18-4) has been the principal option in goal for the Habs this season. If Montreal chooses to rest him, however, head coach Claude Julien might turn to Antti Niemi (8-6-6 record, .894 save percentage, 3.66 goals against average).
New Jersey has lost 12.4 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year and is currently 19-31 straight up (SU). Through 50 regular season matches, 27 of its games have gone over the total, while 21 have gone under the total and just two have pushed. As the road team, the Devils are 6-20 SU so far.
The Devils have converted on 19.1 percent of their power play chances this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked fourth overall and it’s successfully killed off 84.0 percent of all opponent power plays.
Keith Kinkaid (26.1 saves per game) has been the primary option in goal for New Jersey. Kinkaid owns a 14-22-6 record, and has registered a .898 save percentage and 3.12 goals against average this year.
New Jersey Devils at Montreal Canadiens Betting Predictions
Free NHL Pick: SU Winner – Canadiens, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- The Devils are 1-2 in games decided by a shootout this season while the Canadiens are 2-0 in shootouts.
- Over New Jersey’s last ten games, six of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 2-4 in those games).
- The Canadiens this season have registered the fourth-most hits per game in the NHL (27.0).
