Colorado Avalanche vs. Montreal Canadiens Prediction, NHL Odds
The Montreal Canadiens look for back-to-back wins at home when they host the struggling Colorado Avalanche on Thursday night.
The Avalanche and struggling have not been in the same sentence this season, but winning just two of their last seven definitely garners the tag. The Canadiens will look to take advantage of them on Thursday on home ice as they look climb back into the top three spots in the Atlantic Division.
The NHL odds have the Avalanche listed as the -140 favourite on the road. The OVER/UNDER is set at 6.5 goals, with puck drop from the Bell Centre set for 7 p.m. EST.
Avalanche vs. Canadiens NHL Betting Odds
Colorado stomped the Canadiens 7-2 in their first meeting of the season back in November, with Thursday being their final meeting of the season. The Avs are 7-3 in their past 10 head-to-heads, with the last season series going 1-1 after a Canadiens sweep in the 2023-24 season. The Habs have fared well with covering the spread in this matchup, covering in seven of the past 10. The OVER/UNDER has played out 4-6 in that stretch.
Colorado is still atop the league in offence (3.9 goals per game) and defence (2.39 goals against per game), helping them to an even record on the OVER/UNDER at 22-22-7. During their recent struggles, their defensive numbers have taken a hit, allowing five or more in three of their past seven games.
The Habs have been playing .500 hockey over the past month, just keeping their heads above water in the Atlantic Division race. They have covered the spread in half of their past 10 games, bringing them to 30-23 ATS on the campaign. Their 32 OVERs is amongst the league lead, thanks to their sixth-ranked offence (3.36 goals per game) with the 24th defence (3.26 goals against per game).
Colorado Avalanche
After back-to-back losses at home, the Avalanche opened a four-game, week-long road trip in Toronto on Sunday with a win. After two days off, they were back in action on Wednesday in Ottawa, where they lost 5-2 after a pair of empty net goals. The Senators held the lead throughout the entire game, after going up 1-0 early in the second. Parker Kelly (11th) and Valeri Nichushkin (12th) were the lone goal scorers for the Avs in this one as the Sens were able to shut down Hart Trophy favourite Nathan MacKinnon.
Brock Nelson has been amazing since the New Year, putting up 16 points (11G, 5A) in 12 games after adding another assist on Wednesday.
After splitting starting duties for most of the season, Mackenzie Blackwood has claimed the number spot, starting each of the team’s past three. With this game being the second of a back-to-back, expect a night off for him, and Scott Wedgewood will get the start.
Despite winning just two of their last seven, the Avs still have a healthy lead in the Central Division.
Montreal Canadiens
The Canadiens got back in the win column on Tuesday with a 3-2 overtime win over the Vegas Golden Knights. The Knights got on the board first, taking a 1-0 lead into the second period, where Philip Danault (second) and Cole Caufield (30th) put the Canadiens ahead 2-1. Vegas scored the lone goal in the third period to tie things up late and send the game to overtime. Jake Evans (sixth) tallied the overtime winner, cashing in on constant pressure by the Canadiens.
Caufield’s 30th extended his goal streak to a career high of six games. At 30 tucks, Caufield is just seven behind his career high, which he set last season. With 29 games left on the schedule, he is on pace to crush his best and finish with 46.
Struggling goaltenders have been a major headline in Montreal all season, but Jakub Dobes continues to show he is the man for the job. His 16-5-3 record is better than most fans would realize. He picked up the win in his past four starts, boosting his save percentage to .890.
COL
MON