New Jersey Devils vs. Montreal Canadiens Prediction, NHL Odds
The Canadiens extended their strong start to the new season with a 3-1 win in Buffalo on Monday night, and have now limited opponents to two or fewer goals three times during their current 3-1-0 run. The Devils have been idle since recording a 5-4 overtime win over the New York Islanders on Friday night, and have now allowed four goals in each of the past three games.
The Habs’ current surge has not given them a lift on the Tuesday NHL odds, where they lag as +180 underdogs. The Devils lead the way as -225 favourites and sport short +105 puck line odds to claim the win by a multigoal margin. The total is pegged at 6.5, with -120 odds favouring the OVER.
Devils vs. Canadiens NHL Betting Odds
Tuesday night’s matchup at Bell Centre marks the first of three scheduled regular season meetings between these Eastern Conference rivals. The Devils have dominated the Canadiens in recent head-to-head clashes, winning 11 of their past 14 dates since 2016, and have limited Habs shooters to just 13 total goals while winning seven straight in Montreal, and just a single goal in each of their past three visits. The Devils have been equally dominant on offence during their impressive run of success in Montreal, potting an average of 4.29 goals per game in their seven recent wins.
New Jersey Devils
Jack Hughes has picked up right where he left off last season, which he closed out with a career-high 43 goals and 99 points. With an impressive two-goal, four-point performance on Friday night, Hughes has now racked up 10 points through the first four games of the season, and has now piled up seven goals and 16 assists during a 12-game regular season points streak that dates to March 30. That sizzling performance is reflected on the NHL player props, where Hughes sports attractive +120 odds of picking up multiple points for the fourth time in his past five appearances against the Habs. Hughes’ fast start has been good news for the Devils, who have struggled to contain opposing shooters while giving up the first goal in each of their first four outings. Overall, the Devils have scored just one total goal in first-period action, and will need more from goaltender Vitek Vanecek, who has been tagged for seven goals in two starts including three markers on the first 16 shots he faced in last Monday’s 4-3 loss to Florida.
Montreal Canadiens
The Canadiens entered the current campaign in rebuild mode, but it was a pair of veterans who rose to the occasion in Monday’s 3-1 victory in Buffalo. Brendan Gallagher shook off an otherwise forgettable start to the season by sparking a third-period rally, potting the game-winner and setting up Tanner Pearson’s insurance marker late in the contest. Salvaged from the scrap heap in a deal with Vancouver last month, Pearson has defied expectations while claiming a share of the team lead with five points in his past four games. The 31-year-old journeyman has also enjoyed past success when facing New Jersey, averaging a point per game in his past three versus the Devils. Netminder Jake Allen has boosted his trade value with a trio of sparkling performances to start the season. However, Samuel Montembeault is expected to get the call as the Habs seek to snap a four-game losing streak when playing the second of back-to-back games on home ice.
