Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Montreal Canadiens Prediction, NHL Odds
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Edgar Chaput
When two clubs that have experienced such poor seasons collide, something has to give. Moreover, Columbus – already eliminated from playoff contention – is in the Connor Bedard sweepstakes yet trending in the wrong direction with its two-game winning streak.
It is rare for Montreal to be favoured on the NHL odds’ moneyline (-158), yet here we are.
Blue Jackets vs. Canadiens NHL Betting Odds
Saturday night is the rubber match between Columbus and Montreal. Both previous games were played in Ohio, with the Jackets defending home ice the first time 6-4, then falling to the Habs 3-1 on the second try. The Blue Jackets have earned the spoils of war an impressive six times out of the last seven duels with the Habs.
Columbus carries some momentum with it. Their two previous games were wild affairs against the Capitals and Islanders that involved significant comebacks. While normally fans would rejoice in witnessing their club do well at the tail of the season to restore a modicum of pride, in this particular instance one wonders if Columbus is “doing it wrong.” The more they win, the more they harm their odds at Bedard. They are tied on points (53) with San Jose as the worst teams in the NHL.
Not that the Tricolore is much better. They’ve tallied 62 points, but have stalled in recent weeks, save for an unexpected win at home to the Lightning on Tuesday. A 2-6-2 record in their last 10 and a laundry list of injuries are the signs that Montreal’s season is one to forget. Speaking of things having to give, Montreal takes the most amount of penalties of any team, and has the fourth-worst PK unit, but the Blue Jackets are only good for 22nd on the man advantage.
Columbus Blue Jackets
As if the fireworks of their win in Washington earlier in the week weren’t enough, Columbus had to go and make Friday night’s contest against the Islanders just as boggling.
On Friday, they accomplished something very few teams have been successful at this year: making New York netminder Ilya Sorokin look ordinary. Columbus put five past him, including the overtime winner. The four in regulation provided the hosts with a 4-2 lead late in the second period. Forgotten man Jonny Goudreau (18th) opened his side’s tally on the powerplay before Liam Foudy (sixth), Kent Johnson (15th), and Eric Robinson (10th) also netted in a second period scoring bonanza. But one can never fully trust the Blue Jackets, and right on cue New York netted twice in the final frame to send the contest to overtime. Boone Jenner came to the rescue, notching his 25th of the campaign on the always dangerous OT powerplay. Blue Jackets win 5-4.
Montreal Canadiens
No one expected Montreal to go into TD Garden and get two points off the Boston Bruins on Thursday night. That said, these storied rivals often play good games, no matter the talent discrepancy.
In that context, the Canadiens did themselves and their fans proud. They lost 4-2, but they forced the hosts to earn the win. The opening goal from new Bruin Tyle Bertuzzi suggested it might be a disastrous night, as his pass from behind Jake Allen’s net bounced off a Hab defenceman before fooling the goalie himself. The Bruins doubled the lead on a fantastic Jake DeBrusk breakaway goal. But Montreal played hard, got a powerplay marker from Nick Suzuki (22nd) before the opening period ended and pushed Boston as best they could. They even outshot their rivals 31-21. It was a matter of Boston being more clinical with the chances they were awarded on route to a 4-2 win.
