On Tuesday two clubs trying to avoid finishing last in the East square off when the Columbus Blue Jackets visit the Montreal Canadiens.
Late-season matches are opportunities to find bright spots and try new things in the hopes of better futures. Both Columbus and Montreal come off defeats, the Jackets 2-1 to the Predators on Saturday and the Canadiens 3-2 to the Maple Leafs, also on Saturday.
The NHL odds favour the Canadiens, having priced them at -120 on the moneyline.
Blue Jackets vs. Canadiens NHL Betting Odds
Montreal can head into battle tonight knowing that they play Columbus well, having won four straight meetings. That includes two victories earlier this year, one at home and one away. What might pinch the Habs in this match is their mediocre performances at home. Playing at the Bell Centre is said to bring out the best in teams, and that appears to haunt the Canadiens as they’re only 12-17-3 in front of their supporters this season.
Don’t count out Columbus for some surprise wins down the stretch. In the same week, they downed both the Vegas Golden Knights and the Edmonton Oilers. Moreover, they’ve covered four of their last five opportunities to improve their ATS tally to a pretty good 37-27.
The Canadiens have one thing going for them at this stage of the season. More accurately, betters who want to take a chance on the club have something going for them. With a 41-23 record against the puckline, Montreal is clearly one of the best teams in the NHL at covering spreads. They’ve also covered six of their last seven.
One wonders if the over or the under will connect in this game. Montreal is one of the worst-scoring teams in the league (2.75 goals a game, 27th) whereas Columbus is one of the weakest at defending against goals (3.61 per match, 31st).
Columbus Blue Jackets
Whatever their failings this season, the Blue Jackets aren’t going down without a fight. Following surprise wins over Vegas and Edmonton last week, they played the surging Nashville Predators tough on Saturday afternoon despite the 2-1 loss.
Perhaps the club was still riding its high from the win over the mighty Oilers. Maybe it was the oddly early lunch hour start time. For whatever reason it took about half a period for the hosts to get going. Nashville registered the first 14 shots on goal in the match, thus explaining the ultimate 49-33 discrepancy in their favour. G Daniil Tarasov was excellent all afternoon, repelling 47 shots. Alexandre Texier netted his 10th of the season to tie the game 1-1 in the second period, but that’s all the offence the Jackets would muster despite a strong push late.
Points leaders Johnny Gaudreau and Zach Werenski have been held off the sheet two games in a row.
Montreal Canadiens
Heading into Saturday night’s contest versus age-old rivals the Toronto Maple Leafs, no one in the building believed the Canadiens were the better team. Even so, a chance to trip up a familiar foe was on the table.
To that effect, despite leaving empty-handed, the Canadiens put up a good fight in the 3-2 defeat. For a while, it looked as if Montreal would surprise Toronto, as an excellent breakout and passing allowed Mike Matheson (10th) to open the scoring less than a minute into the match. A prolonged delay due to a glass panel along the boards falling off seemed to steal that momentum away. Toronto settled down and took a 2-1 lead into the third, which is when Alex Newhook (10th) tied the game on the power play. However, John Tavares, suffering a desperate goal drought, got the winner in the crease. A 6-on-4 power play late was the perfect opportunity to tie again but a decidedly muted attack couldn’t connect, hence the loss.
Nick Suzuki is having a fine season, earning nearly one point per game. He has 61 in 64 matches thus far.
NHL Prediction: Who Will Win Blue Jackets vs. Canadiens?
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BLUE JACKETS
2 -
CANADIENS
3
Score
Prediction
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 11 Mar 5:12pm | MON | -1.5 +180 | O +6.5 -110 |
| Closing 13 Mar 12:11am | MON | -3.5 +135 | U +7.5 -150 |
- Regular Season
Blue Jackets Team Leaders
| Points |
60 |
| + / - |
1 |
| Shots |
202 |
| Penalty Mins |
74 |
| Wins |
13 |
| GAA |
3 |
| Points |
77 |
| + / - |
11 |
| Shots |
314 |
| Penalty Mins |
81 |
| Wins |
16 |
| GAA |
2.99 |
- Regular Season
Canadiens Team Leaders
| Points |
60 |
| + / - |
1 |
| Shots |
202 |
| Penalty Mins |
74 |
| Wins |
13 |
| GAA |
3 |
| Points |
77 |
| + / - |
11 |
| Shots |
314 |
| Penalty Mins |
81 |
| Wins |
16 |
| GAA |
2.99 |
Injuries
Dmitri Voronkov (LW)
Carson Meyer (RW)
Alexander Nylander (LW)
Johnny Gaudreau (LW)
Jake Bean (D)
Daniil Tarasov (G)
Justin Danforth (RW)
Elvis Merzlikins (G)
Alexander Nylander (LW)
Zach Werenski (D)
Arber Xhekaj (D)
Kaiden Guhle (D)
Kaiden Guhle (D)
Joshua Roy (RW)
Juraj Slafkovsky (LW)
Colin White (C)
Johnathan Kovacevic (D)
Jake Evans (C)
Jayden Struble (D)
Kaiden Guhle (D)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dmitri Voronkov (LW) | Out Tues | Illness - 16 / 04 / 24 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Voronkov is ailing from an illness, and he will not battle the Hurricanes on Tuesday. |
|||||
| Carson Meyer (RW) | out for season | Upper Body - 09 / 04 / 24 | 0-4 | 2-2 | + - |
|
Meyer is expected to miss the rest of the season with an upper-body issue. |
|||||
| Alexander Nylander (LW) | Ques Thurs | Lower Body - 09 / 04 / 24 | 0-4 | 2-2 | + - |
|
Nylander was held out of the last contest due to a lower-body injury, and it is up in the air if he will participate in Thursday's clash with the Panthers. |
|||||
| Johnny Gaudreau (LW) | Prob Sat | Illness - 05 / 04 / 24 | 1-5 | 3-2-1 | + - |
|
Gaudreau was absent from the previous clash with an illness, but it is anticipated that he will face the Flyers in Saturday's showdown. |
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| Jake Bean (D) | out for season | Hand - 04 / 04 / 24 | 2-5 | 3-3-1 | + - |
|
Bean will miss the rest of the season with a broken hand. |
|||||
| Daniil Tarasov (G) | out for season | Upper Body - 04 / 04 / 24 | 2-5 | 3-3-1 | + - |
|
Tarasov will miss the rest of the season with an upper-body injury. |
|||||
| Justin Danforth (RW) | Ques Thurs | Illness - 03 / 04 / 24 | 2-5 | 3-3-1 | + - |
|
Danforth is nursing an illness, and it is up in the air whether he will face the Islanders on Thursday's tilt. |
|||||
| Elvis Merzlikins (G) | Prob Tues | Lower Body - 01 / 04 / 24 | 3-5 | 4-3-1 | + - |
|
Merzlikins has been out of commission with a lower-body injury, but it is anticipated that he will return to the lineup for Tuesday's showdown versus the Hurricanes. |
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| Alexander Nylander (LW) | Prob Sat | Upper Body - 26 / 03 / 24 | 4-7 | 5-5-1 | + - |
|
Nylander has been held out of the last two matches with an upper-body injury, but it is projected that he will take on the Penguins in Saturday's tilt. |
|||||
| Zach Werenski (D) | Ques Fri | Lower Body - 21 / 03 / 24 | 5-8 | 6-5-2 | + - |
|
Werenski has a lower-body injury, and it is undetermined if he will be active for Friday's showdown versus the Avalanche. |
|||||
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arber Xhekaj (D) | out for season | Shoulder - 06 / 04 / 24 | 4-3 | 5-2 | + - |
|
Xhekaj will miss the remainder of the 2023-24 season after undergoing left shoulder surgery. |
|||||
| Kaiden Guhle (D) | Out indefinitely | Upper Body - 04 / 04 / 24 | 5-3 | 6-2 | + - |
|
Guhle will miss an undetermined length of time with an upper-body injury. |
|||||
| Kaiden Guhle (D) | Elig Tues | Suspension - 29 / 03 / 24 | 6-4 | 6-4 | + - |
|
Guhle is serving a one-game suspension for slashing, and he is eligible to return against the Panthers on Tuesday. |
|||||
| Joshua Roy (RW) | Mid May | Upper Body - 20 / 03 / 24 | 9-6 | 8-7 | + - |
|
Roy is out of commission due to an upper-body injury, and he is expected to miss four to six weeks. |
|||||
| Juraj Slafkovsky (LW) | Ques Tues | Undisclosed - 05 / 03 / 24 | 14-7 | 10-11 | + - |
|
Slafkovsky has an unknown issue, and it is uncertain if he will lace up for Tuesday's battle with the Predators. |
|||||
| Colin White (C) | Prob Thurs | Upper Body - 05 / 03 / 24 | 14-7 | 10-11 | + - |
|
White is on the injured reserve list due to an upper-body injury, but it is likely that he will return against the Bruins on Thursday. |
|||||
| Johnathan Kovacevic (D) | Prob Tues | Undisclosed - 03 / 03 / 24 | 14-7 | 10-11 | + - |
|
Kovacevic has been absent from the last three games with an unknown injury, but he is likely to lace up Tuesday versus the Blue Jackets. |
|||||
| Jake Evans (C) | Prob Tues | Undisclosed - 26 / 02 / 24 | 17-7 | 12-11-1 | + - |
|
Evans is battling an undefined issue, but it is likely that he will dress for Tuesday's tilt versus the Coyotes. |
|||||
| Jayden Struble (D) | Prob Tues | Lower Body - 22 / 02 / 24 | 18-8 | 12-13-1 | + - |
|
Struble has been absent from the previous four games with a lower-body injury, but it is likely that he will face the Predators on Tuesday. |
|||||
| Kaiden Guhle (D) | Prob Tues | Undisclosed - 11 / 02 / 24 | 21-10 | 15-15-1 | + - |
|
Guhle is nursing an unspecified injury, but it is likely that he will face the Ducks on Tuesday. |
|||||
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Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 11 Mar 5:12pm MON -1.5 +180 O +6.5 -110 Closing 13 Mar 12:11am MON -3.5 +135 U +7.5 -150 -
- Regular Season
Blue Jackets Team Leaders
Points 60
+ / - 1
Shots 202
Penalty Mins 74
Wins 13
GAA 3
Points 77
+ / - 11
Shots 314
Penalty Mins 81
Wins 16
GAA 2.99
-
- Regular Season
Canadiens Team Leaders
Points 60
+ / - 1
Shots 202
Penalty Mins 74
Wins 13
GAA 3
Points 77
+ / - 11
Shots 314
Penalty Mins 81
Wins 16
GAA 2.99
-
Injuries
Dmitri Voronkov (LW)
Out Tues Illness - 16 / 04 / 24Carson Meyer (RW)
out for season Upper Body - 09 / 04 / 24Alexander Nylander (LW)
Ques Thurs Lower Body - 09 / 04 / 24Johnny Gaudreau (LW)
Prob Sat Illness - 05 / 04 / 24Jake Bean (D)
out for season Hand - 04 / 04 / 24Daniil Tarasov (G)
out for season Upper Body - 04 / 04 / 24Justin Danforth (RW)
Ques Thurs Illness - 03 / 04 / 24Elvis Merzlikins (G)
Prob Tues Lower Body - 01 / 04 / 24Alexander Nylander (LW)
Prob Sat Upper Body - 26 / 03 / 24Zach Werenski (D)
Ques Fri Lower Body - 21 / 03 / 24Arber Xhekaj (D)
out for season Shoulder - 06 / 04 / 24Kaiden Guhle (D)
Out indefinitely Upper Body - 04 / 04 / 24Kaiden Guhle (D)
Elig Tues Suspension - 29 / 03 / 24Joshua Roy (RW)
Mid May Upper Body - 20 / 03 / 24Juraj Slafkovsky (LW)
Ques Tues Undisclosed - 05 / 03 / 24Colin White (C)
Prob Thurs Upper Body - 05 / 03 / 24Johnathan Kovacevic (D)
Prob Tues Undisclosed - 03 / 03 / 24Jake Evans (C)
Prob Tues Undisclosed - 26 / 02 / 24Jayden Struble (D)
Prob Tues Lower Body - 22 / 02 / 24Kaiden Guhle (D)
Prob Tues Undisclosed - 11 / 02 / 24Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Dmitri Voronkov (LW) Out Tues Illness - 16 / 04 / 24 0-1 1-0 + - Voronkov is ailing from an illness, and he will not battle the Hurricanes on Tuesday.
Carson Meyer (RW) out for season Upper Body - 09 / 04 / 24 0-4 2-2 + - Meyer is expected to miss the rest of the season with an upper-body issue.
Alexander Nylander (LW) Ques Thurs Lower Body - 09 / 04 / 24 0-4 2-2 + - Nylander was held out of the last contest due to a lower-body injury, and it is up in the air if he will participate in Thursday's clash with the Panthers.
Johnny Gaudreau (LW) Prob Sat Illness - 05 / 04 / 24 1-5 3-2-1 + - Gaudreau was absent from the previous clash with an illness, but it is anticipated that he will face the Flyers in Saturday's showdown.
Jake Bean (D) out for season Hand - 04 / 04 / 24 2-5 3-3-1 + - Bean will miss the rest of the season with a broken hand.
Daniil Tarasov (G) out for season Upper Body - 04 / 04 / 24 2-5 3-3-1 + - Tarasov will miss the rest of the season with an upper-body injury.
Justin Danforth (RW) Ques Thurs Illness - 03 / 04 / 24 2-5 3-3-1 + - Danforth is nursing an illness, and it is up in the air whether he will face the Islanders on Thursday's tilt.
Elvis Merzlikins (G) Prob Tues Lower Body - 01 / 04 / 24 3-5 4-3-1 + - Merzlikins has been out of commission with a lower-body injury, but it is anticipated that he will return to the lineup for Tuesday's showdown versus the Hurricanes.
Alexander Nylander (LW) Prob Sat Upper Body - 26 / 03 / 24 4-7 5-5-1 + - Nylander has been held out of the last two matches with an upper-body injury, but it is projected that he will take on the Penguins in Saturday's tilt.
Zach Werenski (D) Ques Fri Lower Body - 21 / 03 / 24 5-8 6-5-2 + - Werenski has a lower-body injury, and it is undetermined if he will be active for Friday's showdown versus the Avalanche.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Arber Xhekaj (D) out for season Shoulder - 06 / 04 / 24 4-3 5-2 + - Xhekaj will miss the remainder of the 2023-24 season after undergoing left shoulder surgery.
Kaiden Guhle (D) Out indefinitely Upper Body - 04 / 04 / 24 5-3 6-2 + - Guhle will miss an undetermined length of time with an upper-body injury.
Kaiden Guhle (D) Elig Tues Suspension - 29 / 03 / 24 6-4 6-4 + - Guhle is serving a one-game suspension for slashing, and he is eligible to return against the Panthers on Tuesday.
Joshua Roy (RW) Mid May Upper Body - 20 / 03 / 24 9-6 8-7 + - Roy is out of commission due to an upper-body injury, and he is expected to miss four to six weeks.
Juraj Slafkovsky (LW) Ques Tues Undisclosed - 05 / 03 / 24 14-7 10-11 + - Slafkovsky has an unknown issue, and it is uncertain if he will lace up for Tuesday's battle with the Predators.
Colin White (C) Prob Thurs Upper Body - 05 / 03 / 24 14-7 10-11 + - White is on the injured reserve list due to an upper-body injury, but it is likely that he will return against the Bruins on Thursday.
Johnathan Kovacevic (D) Prob Tues Undisclosed - 03 / 03 / 24 14-7 10-11 + - Kovacevic has been absent from the last three games with an unknown injury, but he is likely to lace up Tuesday versus the Blue Jackets.
Jake Evans (C) Prob Tues Undisclosed - 26 / 02 / 24 17-7 12-11-1 + - Evans is battling an undefined issue, but it is likely that he will dress for Tuesday's tilt versus the Coyotes.
Jayden Struble (D) Prob Tues Lower Body - 22 / 02 / 24 18-8 12-13-1 + - Struble has been absent from the previous four games with a lower-body injury, but it is likely that he will face the Predators on Tuesday.
Kaiden Guhle (D) Prob Tues Undisclosed - 11 / 02 / 24 21-10 15-15-1 + - Guhle is nursing an unspecified injury, but it is likely that he will face the Ducks on Tuesday.