Montreal Canadiens vs. Winnipeg Jets Prediction, NHL Odds
Winnipeg has won back-to-back games and six of their past seven to put them just a single win out of first in the Central Division.
The puck will drop at 7:30 PM EST at the Canada Life Centre. Keep updated on our moneyline, puckline and Over/Under for Sunday’s matchup on our NHL odds.
Canadiens vs. Jets NHL Betting Odds
Winnipeg will be looking for redemption in their final meeting of the season with the Canadiens, after taking a 4-3 shoot-out loss in October. Jake Allen led the charge in that game, stopping 42 of 45 and stopping all of the Jets’ attempts in the shootout. The Habs were outshot 45-29 and rallied in the final minute to force extra time.
These squads have met five times since their playoff series in 2021. Since getting swept in the playoffs, Winnipeg is 3-1-1, covering the spread twice and playing the UNDER in all but one game.
The Canadiens have been a solid bet to cover this season, putting up an 18-12 record in that regard so far. They have put together a solid stretch of competitive games lately covering in each of the past four and six of the last seven. The squad is amongst the bottom seven in the league in goals for and against but has been better defensively over the last bit allowing just three per game through seven in December.
Winnipeg got back to their winning recipe this month and has not given up more than two goals in any of the past seven games. When the Jets are at their best, it is their defensive game that wins them games. All the proof you need is their 2.45 goals against average which is fifth-best league-wide. Few teams in the NHL have made bettors more money by covering the spread than the Jets who are 20-9 on the season and 6-1 in December.
Montreal Canadiens
The Canadiens were thriving Saturday Night, playing their best game over the past month at home spoiling the party for the New York Islanders. The Habs were dominant from the get-go and after a scoreless first period, they outshot the Isles 15-10.
Joel Armia (4) opened the scoring in the second and then Josh Anderson got the monkey off his back scoring back-to-back goals, extending the lead to 3-0. Anderson’s second and third of the season broke a streak of 35 games of not scoring with a goalie in net.
Cole Caufield (8) snapped a seven-game drought before the end of the second to give them a healthy 4-0 lead heading into the final frame.
The Isles rallied in the third period scoring three straight to bring them within one, but Christian Dvorak’s (2) empty netter would seal the victory for Montreal.
Currently 6-4-2 as the visitors, Montreal will play their next seven games on the road, taking them into 2024. Expect to see Jake Allen in goals versus the Jets as no Canadiens goalie has started three in a row this season.
Winnipeg Jets
A very good start to the month grew even more impressive on Saturday night when the Jets smashed the Colorado Avalanche 6-2 to close the gap between first and second place in the Central Division.
Winnipeg got on the board midway through the first with Gabriel Vilardi’s first of two goals (3, 4) on the night. They added another on the powerplay for a 2-0 lead after one.
The Jets never looked back as Alex Iafallo (5) scored in the second to snap an 18-game goalless slump, before they would tuck three more in the third for the 6-2 win.
Connor Hellebuyck was in the net for the second straight game, extending his win streak to five games. He boasts the top three numbers in wins, save percentage and goals against average out of all goalies with 20 or more games played. He has likely earned a night off and Laurent Brossoit will start tonight for Winnipeg.
Sitting just a point behind the Ave’s for first in the Central the Jets have a chance to move ahead of them in their final three games before Christmas.
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