It’s a very unlikely North Division final series starting Wednesday night from Winnipeg as the Jets host the Montreal Canadiens in Game 1 of the best-of-7.
The Jets opened as -131 favourites on the NHL odds with a total of 5.5 goals.
Canadiens vs. Jets Stanley Cup Odds
Any NHL prognosticators out there who predicted the third-place Jets to upset the second-place Edmonton Oilers in Round 1 and the fourth-place Canadiens to shockingly rally from a 3-1 series deficit to stun the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round, well, kudos. Because we sure didn’t.
In fact, we liked Toronto to reach the Stanley Cup Finals – but that was before John Tavares went down injured in Game 1 vs. Montreal; he wouldn’t play again. Monday’s 3-1 home loss for the Leafs was their unthinkable eighth straight defeat in series-clinching games. Toronto finished with 19 more points than Montreal during the regular season but now remains without a playoff series victory since 2004. Expect some changes this off-season.
Winnipeg probably never expected to have home-ice advantage for this series and is the -136 favourite on the series line with Montreal at -102. To win the Cup, the Canadiens are +1300 with the Jets +1400. Interesting that Montreal is an underdog in this series but has shorter odds to win the Cup.
This will mark the first-ever playoff series between the Montreal and Winnipeg franchises. The Canadiens and original Jets also never met in the post-season. The Jets were 6-3 vs. the Canadiens this season and 3-1 at home. The over is 6-1 in the past seven meetings.
Montreal Canadiens
In Games 5 and 6 vs. Toronto, Montreal scored the game-winning goal in overtime off Maple Leafs turnovers. The Habs’ first two goals of their 3-1 win in Game 7 on Monday were also via Toronto mistakes. Brendan Gallagher had his first playoff goal at 3:02 of the second to open the scoring, Corey Perry’s second of the post-season (on the power play) made it 2-0 at 15:25 of the second, and Tyler Toffoli’s second of the playoffs at 17:22 of the third basically ended it.
Carey Price turned aside 30 of 31 shots and was brilliant in the final three games. Price has now allowed one goal or fewer in three of his four career Game 7 appearances. His three victories are tied with Ken Dryden (3-0) for the most Game 7 victories in franchise history. It was the 30th time in Stanley Cup playoff history a team rallied to win a best-of-7 after trailing the series 3-1 and the third time Montreal has done it.
Winnipeg Jets
Winnipeg finished the stunning sweep of Edmonton with a third straight overtime victory way back on May 24, so the Jets are well-rested but also perhaps a bit rusty. This reminds of the 2018 playoffs when Winnipeg beat Minnesota in five games in Round 1 and then had to wait a week for Round 2. The Jets would win Game 1 of that series in Nashville, 4-1, and the series in seven.
Kyle Connor had the triple-OT winner in Game 4 vs. Edmonton, his second goal of the series and the longest playoff game in Jets history. Blake Wheeler (2G, 3A) and Mark Scheifele (2G, 3A) led the team with five points each in the series. Connor Hellebuyck started all four games vs. Edmonton and had a 1.60 goals-against average and .950 save per centage. Hellebuyck played in all nine regular-season games vs. Montreal and had a 2.67 GAA and .916 SV.
NHL Playoff Prediction: Who Will Win Canadiens vs. Jets?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 1 Jun 11:44am | MON | -1.5 +244 | U +5.5 -136 |
| Closing 2 Jun 11:37pm | MON | -1.5 +173 | U +5.5 -139 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Canadiens Team Leaders
| Points |
44 |
| + / - |
28 |
| Shots |
158 |
| Penalty Mins |
50 |
| Wins |
12 |
| GAA |
2.64 |
| Points |
63 |
| + / - |
15 |
| Shots |
166 |
| Penalty Mins |
50 |
| Wins |
24 |
| GAA |
2.42 |
| Points |
16 |
| + / - |
4 |
| Shots |
53 |
| Penalty Mins |
28 |
| Wins |
13 |
| GAA |
2.28 |
| Points |
7 |
| + / - |
6 |
| Shots |
28 |
| Penalty Mins |
17 |
| Wins |
4 |
| GAA |
2.23 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Jets Team Leaders
| Points |
44 |
| + / - |
28 |
| Shots |
158 |
| Penalty Mins |
50 |
| Wins |
12 |
| GAA |
2.64 |
| Points |
63 |
| + / - |
15 |
| Shots |
166 |
| Penalty Mins |
50 |
| Wins |
24 |
| GAA |
2.42 |
| Points |
16 |
| + / - |
4 |
| Shots |
53 |
| Penalty Mins |
28 |
| Wins |
13 |
| GAA |
2.28 |
| Points |
7 |
| + / - |
6 |
| Shots |
28 |
| Penalty Mins |
17 |
| Wins |
4 |
| GAA |
2.23 |
Injuries
Jake Evans (C)
Brendan Gallagher (RW)
Joel Armia (RW)
Jeff Petry (D)
Jake Evans (C)
Tomas Tatar (LW)
Jon Merrill (D)
Artturi Lehkonen (LW)
Eric Staal (C)
Jake Evans (C)
Dominic Toninato (C)
Dylan Demelo (D)
Mark Scheifele (C)
Paul Stastny (C)
Paul Stastny (C)
Pierre-Luc Dubois (LW)
Andrew Copp (C)
Connor Hellebuyck (G)
Tucker Poolman (D)
Neal Pionk (D)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jake Evans (C) | Ques Mon | Concussion - 30 / 06 / 21 | 1-3 | 2-1-1 | + - |
|
Evans is battling a concussion, and it is unclear if he will dress for Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals versus the Lightning. |
|||||
| Brendan Gallagher (RW) | Prob Wed | Head - 30 / 06 / 21 | 1-3 | 2-1-1 | + - |
|
Gallagher is expected to face the Lightning for Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals despite a head injury. |
|||||
| Joel Armia (RW) | Ques Wed | Illness - 27 / 06 / 21 | 2-3 | 2-1-2 | + - |
|
Armia has cleared the COVID-19 protocol, and it remains to be seen if he will lace up against the Lightning for Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals. |
|||||
| Jeff Petry (D) | Ques Wed | Hand - 06 / 06 / 21 | 8-5 | 3-5-5 | + - |
|
Petry is bothered by a right hand injury, and it is undetermined if he will be active for Game 2 of the NHL semifinals against the Golden Knights. |
|||||
| Jake Evans (C) | Out indefinitely | Concussion - 02 / 06 / 21 | 10-5 | 4-6-5 | + - |
|
Evans is out of the lineup due to a concussion, and team officials have yet to provide an exact return date. |
|||||
| Tomas Tatar (LW) | Out indefinitely | Undisclosed - 29 / 05 / 21 | 12-5 | 5-7-5 | + - |
|
Tatar is sidelined due to an undefined issue, and team officials have yet to provide an exact return date. |
|||||
| Jon Merrill (D) | Ques Wed | Undisclosed - 29 / 05 / 21 | 12-5 | 5-7-5 | + - |
|
Merrill is managing an unspecified ailment, and it has yet to be established if he will dress for Game 2 of the NHL semifinals against the Golden Knights. |
|||||
| Artturi Lehkonen (LW) | Ques Fri | Head - 24 / 05 / 21 | 13-7 | 6-9-5 | + - |
|
Lehkonen is dealing with a head injury, and it is up in the air if he will face the Jets in Game 2 of the North Division finals. |
|||||
| Eric Staal (C) | Ques Tues | Undisclosed - 24 / 05 / 21 | 13-7 | 6-9-5 | + - |
|
Staal is battling an undefined issue, and it is uncertain if he will take on the Maple Leafs in Game 4 of the North Division semifinals. |
|||||
| Jake Evans (C) | Out Sat | Undisclosed - 20 / 05 / 21 | 15-7 | 7-10-5 | + - |
|
Evans is nursing an unknown ailment, and he will not be available for Game 6 of the North Division semifinals versus the Maple Leafs. |
|||||
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dominic Toninato (C) | Ques Wed | Undisclosed - 06 / 06 / 21 | 0-2 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Toninato is dealing with an unspecified ailment, and it is uncertain if he will play against the Canadiens in Game 5 of the North Division finals. |
|||||
| Dylan Demelo (D) | Ques Wed | Lower Body - 03 / 06 / 21 | 0-3 | 2-1 | + - |
|
Demelo is nursing a lower-body injury, and it is unknown if he will be available for Game 5 of the North Division finals against the Canadiens. |
|||||
| Mark Scheifele (C) | Elig Fri | Suspension - 03 / 06 / 21 | 0-3 | 2-1 | + - |
|
Scheifele is serving a four-game suspension for hitting, and he is eligible to return for Game 6 of the North Division finals against the Canadiens. |
|||||
| Paul Stastny (C) | Ques Sun | Undisclosed - 02 / 06 / 21 | 1-3 | 3-1 | + - |
|
Stastny is dealing with an undisclosed injury, and it is unclear if he will be active for Game 3 of the North Division Finals versus the Canadians. |
|||||
| Paul Stastny (C) | Ques Wed | Undisclosed - 15 / 05 / 21 | 5-3 | 5-3 | + - |
|
Stastny is bothered by an unspecified issue, leaving his status against the Oilers in Game 1 of the North Division semifinals clouded. |
|||||
| Pierre-Luc Dubois (LW) | Prob Fri | Undisclosed - 15 / 05 / 21 | 5-3 | 5-3 | + - |
|
Dubois is dealing with an unknown injury, but it is likely that he will be available for Game 2 of the North Division semifinals versus the Oilers. |
|||||
| Andrew Copp (C) | Ques Wed | Undisclosed - 13 / 05 / 21 | 6-3 | 5-4 | + - |
|
Copp is battling an unknown ailment, and it is unclear if he will face the Oilers in Game 1 of the North Division semifinals. |
|||||
| Connor Hellebuyck (G) | Prob Tues | Undisclosed - 10 / 05 / 21 | 6-5 | 6-5 | + - |
|
Hellebuyck missed the last game dealing with an undisclosed issue, but he is projected to be in the lineup on Tuesday against the Canucks. |
|||||
| Tucker Poolman (D) | Ques Wed | Undisclosed - 10 / 05 / 21 | 6-5 | 6-5 | + - |
|
Poolman is saddled by an undisclosed issue, and it is unknown if he will suit up for Game 1 of the North Division semifinals versus the Oilers. |
|||||
| Neal Pionk (D) | Prob Tues | Undisclosed - 08 / 05 / 21 | 7-5 | 6-6 | + - |
|
Pionk has missed the last two contests tending to an undisclosed injury, but he is likely to be available to face the Canucks on Tuesday. |
|||||
-
MONTREAL CANADIENS
1 -
WINNIPEG JETS
3
Score
Prediction
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 1 Jun 11:44am MON -1.5 +244 U +5.5 -136 Closing 2 Jun 11:37pm MON -1.5 +173 U +5.5 -139 -
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Canadiens Team Leaders
Points 44
+ / - 28
Shots 158
Penalty Mins 50
Wins 12
GAA 2.64
Points 63
+ / - 15
Shots 166
Penalty Mins 50
Wins 24
GAA 2.42
Points 16
+ / - 4
Shots 53
Penalty Mins 28
Wins 13
GAA 2.28
Points 7
+ / - 6
Shots 28
Penalty Mins 17
Wins 4
GAA 2.23
-
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Jets Team Leaders
Points 44
+ / - 28
Shots 158
Penalty Mins 50
Wins 12
GAA 2.64
Points 63
+ / - 15
Shots 166
Penalty Mins 50
Wins 24
GAA 2.42
Points 16
+ / - 4
Shots 53
Penalty Mins 28
Wins 13
GAA 2.28
Points 7
+ / - 6
Shots 28
Penalty Mins 17
Wins 4
GAA 2.23
-
Injuries
Jake Evans (C)
Ques Mon Concussion - 30 / 06 / 21Brendan Gallagher (RW)
Prob Wed Head - 30 / 06 / 21Joel Armia (RW)
Ques Wed Illness - 27 / 06 / 21Jeff Petry (D)
Ques Wed Hand - 06 / 06 / 21Jake Evans (C)
Out indefinitely Concussion - 02 / 06 / 21Tomas Tatar (LW)
Out indefinitely Undisclosed - 29 / 05 / 21Jon Merrill (D)
Ques Wed Undisclosed - 29 / 05 / 21Artturi Lehkonen (LW)
Ques Fri Head - 24 / 05 / 21Eric Staal (C)
Ques Tues Undisclosed - 24 / 05 / 21Jake Evans (C)
Out Sat Undisclosed - 20 / 05 / 21Dominic Toninato (C)
Ques Wed Undisclosed - 06 / 06 / 21Dylan Demelo (D)
Ques Wed Lower Body - 03 / 06 / 21Mark Scheifele (C)
Elig Fri Suspension - 03 / 06 / 21Paul Stastny (C)
Ques Sun Undisclosed - 02 / 06 / 21Paul Stastny (C)
Ques Wed Undisclosed - 15 / 05 / 21Pierre-Luc Dubois (LW)
Prob Fri Undisclosed - 15 / 05 / 21Andrew Copp (C)
Ques Wed Undisclosed - 13 / 05 / 21Connor Hellebuyck (G)
Prob Tues Undisclosed - 10 / 05 / 21Tucker Poolman (D)
Ques Wed Undisclosed - 10 / 05 / 21Neal Pionk (D)
Prob Tues Undisclosed - 08 / 05 / 21Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Jake Evans (C) Ques Mon Concussion - 30 / 06 / 21 1-3 2-1-1 + - Evans is battling a concussion, and it is unclear if he will dress for Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals versus the Lightning.
Brendan Gallagher (RW) Prob Wed Head - 30 / 06 / 21 1-3 2-1-1 + - Gallagher is expected to face the Lightning for Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals despite a head injury.
Joel Armia (RW) Ques Wed Illness - 27 / 06 / 21 2-3 2-1-2 + - Armia has cleared the COVID-19 protocol, and it remains to be seen if he will lace up against the Lightning for Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals.
Jeff Petry (D) Ques Wed Hand - 06 / 06 / 21 8-5 3-5-5 + - Petry is bothered by a right hand injury, and it is undetermined if he will be active for Game 2 of the NHL semifinals against the Golden Knights.
Jake Evans (C) Out indefinitely Concussion - 02 / 06 / 21 10-5 4-6-5 + - Evans is out of the lineup due to a concussion, and team officials have yet to provide an exact return date.
Tomas Tatar (LW) Out indefinitely Undisclosed - 29 / 05 / 21 12-5 5-7-5 + - Tatar is sidelined due to an undefined issue, and team officials have yet to provide an exact return date.
Jon Merrill (D) Ques Wed Undisclosed - 29 / 05 / 21 12-5 5-7-5 + - Merrill is managing an unspecified ailment, and it has yet to be established if he will dress for Game 2 of the NHL semifinals against the Golden Knights.
Artturi Lehkonen (LW) Ques Fri Head - 24 / 05 / 21 13-7 6-9-5 + - Lehkonen is dealing with a head injury, and it is up in the air if he will face the Jets in Game 2 of the North Division finals.
Eric Staal (C) Ques Tues Undisclosed - 24 / 05 / 21 13-7 6-9-5 + - Staal is battling an undefined issue, and it is uncertain if he will take on the Maple Leafs in Game 4 of the North Division semifinals.
Jake Evans (C) Out Sat Undisclosed - 20 / 05 / 21 15-7 7-10-5 + - Evans is nursing an unknown ailment, and he will not be available for Game 6 of the North Division semifinals versus the Maple Leafs.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Dominic Toninato (C) Ques Wed Undisclosed - 06 / 06 / 21 0-2 1-1 + - Toninato is dealing with an unspecified ailment, and it is uncertain if he will play against the Canadiens in Game 5 of the North Division finals.
Dylan Demelo (D) Ques Wed Lower Body - 03 / 06 / 21 0-3 2-1 + - Demelo is nursing a lower-body injury, and it is unknown if he will be available for Game 5 of the North Division finals against the Canadiens.
Mark Scheifele (C) Elig Fri Suspension - 03 / 06 / 21 0-3 2-1 + - Scheifele is serving a four-game suspension for hitting, and he is eligible to return for Game 6 of the North Division finals against the Canadiens.
Paul Stastny (C) Ques Sun Undisclosed - 02 / 06 / 21 1-3 3-1 + - Stastny is dealing with an undisclosed injury, and it is unclear if he will be active for Game 3 of the North Division Finals versus the Canadians.
Paul Stastny (C) Ques Wed Undisclosed - 15 / 05 / 21 5-3 5-3 + - Stastny is bothered by an unspecified issue, leaving his status against the Oilers in Game 1 of the North Division semifinals clouded.
Pierre-Luc Dubois (LW) Prob Fri Undisclosed - 15 / 05 / 21 5-3 5-3 + - Dubois is dealing with an unknown injury, but it is likely that he will be available for Game 2 of the North Division semifinals versus the Oilers.
Andrew Copp (C) Ques Wed Undisclosed - 13 / 05 / 21 6-3 5-4 + - Copp is battling an unknown ailment, and it is unclear if he will face the Oilers in Game 1 of the North Division semifinals.
Connor Hellebuyck (G) Prob Tues Undisclosed - 10 / 05 / 21 6-5 6-5 + - Hellebuyck missed the last game dealing with an undisclosed issue, but he is projected to be in the lineup on Tuesday against the Canucks.
Tucker Poolman (D) Ques Wed Undisclosed - 10 / 05 / 21 6-5 6-5 + - Poolman is saddled by an undisclosed issue, and it is unknown if he will suit up for Game 1 of the North Division semifinals versus the Oilers.
Neal Pionk (D) Prob Tues Undisclosed - 08 / 05 / 21 7-5 6-6 + - Pionk has missed the last two contests tending to an undisclosed injury, but he is likely to be available to face the Canucks on Tuesday.