The Montreal Canadiens stole Game 1 of their North Division playoff series in Winnipeg and won’t have to deal with Jets star Mark Scheifele for at least Game 2 on Friday.
Winnipeg is still a short home favourite on the NHL odds with a total of 5.5 goals.
Canadiens vs. Jets Stanley Cup Odds
Are the Canadiens good or lucky? Perhaps both. In Game 1 of the first round, they were sizable underdogs in Toronto but saw Leafs star John Tavares leave the game early with an injury on an accidental hit. Montreal won that game and eventually the series as Tavares wouldn’t play again.
In Game 1 of the second round in Winnipeg on Wednesday, the Habs were solid underdogs and won 5-3. That’s big enough, but on the last goal, an empty-netter in the final minute, Montreal’s Jake Evans was obliterated on a hit by Winnipeg star Mark Scheifele. Evans left on a stretcher, while Scheifele was given a five-minute major for charging and a game misconduct.
As of this writing, there’s no word on how long Scheifele will be suspended, but it’s going to be multiple games – just not more than five (see below). Habs defenceman Joel Edmundson vowed revenge on Scheifele but might not get the chance this series. That’s a massive loss for the Jets as Scheifele led the club with 42 assists and 63 points in the regular season and averaged more ice time than any other forward.
The underdog has now won the past five meetings in this series. The over is 5-1 in the previous six in Winnipeg.
Montreal Canadiens
Very impressive win Wednesday for Montreal as it was on short rest and off a very grueling series against bitter-rival Toronto while facing a well-rested opponent on its home ice; consider that in similar situations, the New York Islanders (at Boston) and Vegas Golden Knights (at Colorado) were both blown out in Game 1 of their second-round series. The Canadiens own an all-time series record of 63-11 when leading 1-0 in a best-of-7 series.
Jesperi Kotkaniemi (fourth of playoffs), Eric Staal (first), Nick Suzuki (third), Brendan Gallagher (second; on power play), and Jake Evans (first) had the goals in the win over the Jets on Wednesday. Kotkaniemi now has eight career post-season goals, and only Claude Lemieux (10) has scored more playoff goals before his 21st birthday in franchise history. Evans, the Toronto native, seems likely to miss multiple games. He had three goals and 10 assists in 47 regular-season games and one goal in four games in these playoffs. Carey Price allowed three goals on 30 shots in the win. Montreal is 5-2 in its past seven after a win.
Winnipeg Jets
The Jets were series favourites entering Game 1 but are now +161 underdogs following the loss, with Montreal at -207. The favoured exact series result is now Canadiens in six at +353. The Jets rallying to win the next four is an +1100 long shot.
Connor Hellebuyck was great vs. Edmonton but not as sharp Wednesday in allowing four goals on 32 shots, although his defence didn’t not help much as all of Montreal’s goals were from in close. Adam Lowry (first goal of playoffs; short-handed), Derek Forbort (first) and Kyle Connor (third) had the Game 1 goals. On Thursday, the NHL Department of Player Safety announced Mark Scheifele would have a phone hearing for the hit, meaning the longest suspension he could be assessed is five games. It seems quite possible he gets all five even though Scheifele has never been suspended previously. The Jets were already without veteran forward Paul Stastny, who missed the opener with an undisclosed injury.
NHL Playoff Prediction: Who Will Win Canadiens vs. Jets?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 3 Jun 1:18pm | MON | -1.5 +229 | U +5.5 -130 |
| Closing 4 Jun 10:19pm | MON | -1.5 +217 | U +5.5 -136 |
- 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. |
|||||
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MONTREAL CANADIENS
2 -
WINNIPEG JETS
3
Score
Prediction
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 3 Jun 1:18pm MON -1.5 +229 U +5.5 -130 Closing 4 Jun 10:19pm MON -1.5 +217 U +5.5 -136 -
- 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.