Winnipeg Jets vs. Montreal Canadiens Prediction, NHL Odds
Two struggling Canadian squads go head-to-head on Wednesday, as the Winnipeg Jets visit Montreal to face the Canadiens.
Montreal has dropped back-to-back games after a 5-2 loss to the Ottawa Senators Tuesday on home ice. The Jets have lost five of their last six games, slipping to sixth in the Central Division.
The NHL odds have the Jets as the slight favourite to win at -120 on Wednesday night, with the total sitting at an even six goals. Puck Drop from the Bell Centre is set for 7:30 p.m. EST.
Jets vs. Canadiens NHL Betting Odds
This will be the first game of the season between these teams, and they will not cross paths again until February. The Jets swept the two-game series last year, powered by a pair of two-point games from Kyle Connor. Neither of those matchups hit the OVER, with the Jets holding the Habs to a combined three goals.
Winnipeg has had high-scoring games over its past six, playing the UNDER just once, pushing its record to 14-9-2 O/U this season. Their offence has been sparse during their current slide, scoring only 2.2 goals per game across six contests. Despite being four spots out of playoff position, the Jets are still favoured to make the postseason on our NHL futures board at -120.
The Habs have had trouble putting the puck in the net over their past two outings, scoring just twice in each game. They have also been allowing too many goals, giving up five or more in both games. They are 18-5-2 on the OVER/UNDER this year, after hitting the UNDER just twice in their past 10 games. Montreal’s offence is ranked outside the top five for the first time all season, as they look for more consistency up front.
Winnipeg Jets
Captain Adam Lowry took matters into his own hands after the Jets’ embarrassing 5-1 loss in Buffalo on Monday. Lowry called a players-only team meeting post-game as an attempt to get the Jets out of their current 1-5 skid.
The game got out of hand quickly on Monday as the Sabres struck 2:46 into the first period and held a 3-0 lead headed to the second. Kyle Connor (13th) scored Winnipeg’s lone goal in the second period, before Buffalo added two more for a 5-1 final.
Without their reigning MVP, Connor Hellebuyck, the Jets have been relying on career backup Eric Comrie, along with rookie Thomas Milic. After a few quality starts from Comrie early in the season, the absence of their starter is taking its toll on the team. Comrie was pulled after giving up three in the first period on Monday and has a rough stat line of 3.13 goals-against average and a .893 save percentage on the season. He is confirmed to get the start on Wednesday in Montreal.
Montreal Canadiens
The Canadiens have a quick turnaround after a hard-hitting game Tuesday night versus the Ottawa Senators. The 5-2 loss looks more lopsided than the play on the ice, as Montreal had its chances to pull closer in this one. They got on the board first with a power play goal from Juraj Slafkovsky (8th) before the Sens potted a pair before the end of the first. Ottawa went up 4-1 before the 10-minute mark of the second, but captain Nick Suzuki (8th) brought it back within two. The Senators scored the lone goal in the third to take a big two points in the standings.
The silver lining in the loss was Montreal’s top unit on the power play, scoring twice on three opportunities. Nick Suzuki as well, who finished the night with two points, getting his point total to 30 (8G, 22A) on the season in just 25 games.
The Habs must be worried about goalie Samuel Montembeault who has been struggling this season with a .861 save percentage. Jakub Dobes will be between the pipes on Wednesday as the Habs look to get back in the win column.
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