New Jersey Devils vs. Montreal Canadiens Prediction, NHL Odds
The Canadiens are coming off a narrow 5-4 win over Pittsburgh on Saturday night, and now look to the final date on their current three-game homestand trailing Toronto by just two points in the battle for second place in the divisional standings. The Devils remained the hottest team in the NHL by extending their current win streak to nine games with Saturday’s 4-2 victory over Arizona, but face injury concerns between the pipes as they kick off a three-game road trip.
Backed by 64 per cent of sports bettors, the Devils have rocketed to -183 favourites on the NHL odds since opening at -164, while the Canadiens lag as strengthened +152 underdogs. The total is unchanged since opening at 6.5, with the OVER attracting 67 per cent of the betting action.
Devils vs. Canadiens NHL Betting Odds
Tuesday night’s matchup at Bell Centre marks the first of three scheduled meetings between these Eastern Conference rivals this season. The Canadiens skated to a decisive 7-4 victory when they visited New Jersey back in April. However, the Devils have otherwise dominated in head-to-head action, winning nine of 11 dates with the Habs, including five straight meetings in Montreal.
New Jersey shooters have filled the net when facing Montreal, averaging 4.67 goals per game over their past six tilts and have claimed victory by multi-goal margins in each of their past two appearances at Bell Centre. That offensive production has helped fuel a steady 5-1-0 run for the OVER in totals betting. The Devils have also been particularly dominant on the road, scoring 4.75 goals per game in four away contests during their current 9-0-0 run.
New Jersey Devils
The Devils’ turnaround this season has been nothing short of spectacular. Winners of just 27 games last season on their way to a 28th-place finish in the NHL league standings, the Devils have stormed to the top of the Metropolitan Division standings during an impressive 9-3-0 start to the new season. New Jersey’s renaissance has been powered by a youthful corps that is quickly come of age, led by Nico Hischier. The Devils captain has powered the attack with a team-high eight goals, and has compiled 10 points during his current seven-game point streak.
The Devils have also been steady defensively, allowing just two goals per game during their win streak, and more than three goals just once over their past 13. However, injuries have emerged as a concern in the crease. Mackenzie Blackwood remains sidelined indefinitely with a knee injury, and Vitek Vanecek has missed the past two games with an undisclosed injuries, but is reportedly set to go on Tuesday. But even if Vanecek is unable to start, the club can once again turn to rookie Akira Schmid, who has given up just two goals while starting the past two games.
Montreal Canadiens
Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield maintained their early-season momentum with another solid performance in Saturday’s win over the Penguins. The duo combined to score twice and add one assist to power the club to their first three-game win streak of the season, and have now accounted for 19 of the Canadiens’ 46 total goals this season. Suzuki has also played a big role in sparking the Montreal power play after a dismal start. The Canadiens captain has scored three of the team’s six goals with the extra man over the past seven games.
But while the Canadiens have generated steady offence, and averaged 4.67 goals per game over their past three home dates, they have managed to claim victory by the narrowest margins, with two of their past three wins getting decided in overtime or shootout. Expected to get the start on Tuesday, goaltender Jake Allen has struggled to produce consistent results, allowing four or more goals in four of his past seven outings, and earning the win in just one of his past four home starts.
NJ
MON