Nationwide Arena is playing host an Eastern Conference matchup as the Montreal Canadiens pay a visit to the Columbus Blue Jackets. It’s the third and final time that the two clubs will meet in the regular season. Reseau Des Sports will air the matchup, and the opening face-off takes place at 7 p.m. ET on Monday, March 12.
Montreal Canadiens vs. Columbus Blue Jackets Odds
Columbus (-210) is currently favored over Montreal (+175), and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 6 goals (-120 to bet the under, +100 for the over).
The Blue Jackets are 36-33 straight up (SU) and have recorded -3.5 units for moneyline bettors thus far. That winning percentage, the third-best in the Metropolitan Division in this young season, is a regression from the 50-32 record that the team posted during the 2016-17 season campaign. 37 of the team’s 69 games have gone under the total, while 31 have gone over and just one has pushed. The team is 22-13 SU at home this year.
Columbus has converted on just 14.4 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a mark that places the team in the bottom- overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 25th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 77.3 percent of all penalties.
As a collective unit, Columbus has been penalized just 3.0 times per game overall this season, 3.2 per game over its last five outings total, and 2.8 per game over its last five home outings. The team’s had to kill penalties for just 7.0 minutes per game over its last 10 matchups, in total.
Averaging 28.0 saves per game with a .920 save percentage, Sergei Bobrovsky (29-26-5) has been the best goalkeeper for the Blue Jackets this year. If head coach John Tortorella chooses to give him a breather, however, the Jackets might turn to Joonas Korpisalo (7-8-8 record, .902 save percentage, 3.19 goals against average).
Artemi Panarin and Seth Jones will both lead the offensive attack for the Blue Jackets. Panarin (60 points) has tallied 21 goals and 39 assists and has recorded two or more points 12 times this year. Jones has 13 goals and 33 assists to his name and has notched at least one point in 33 contests.
Montreal is 25-43 straight up (SU) and has lost 21.5 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year. A total of 38 of its matches have gone under the total, while 28 have gone over and just two have pushed. Montreal’s 9-25 SU as the visiting team this season.
Montreal has converted on 20.1 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 28th overall and it’s successfully defended 76.3 percent of all opponent power plays.
Montreal’s skaters have been penalized 3.8 times per game this season, and 4.6 per game over their last five road outings. The team’s been forced to kill penalties 10.2 minutes per contest over their last five road games.
Carey Price (.904 save percentage and 2.98 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for Montreal. Price is averaging 27.3 saves per game and has 15 wins, 28 losses, and six overtime losses to his credit.
Brendan Gallagher (24 goals, 17 assists) and Alex Galchenyuk (16 goals, 24 assists) have been standout playmakers for Montreal and will lead the offensive attack for the visiting Canadiens.
Montreal Canadiens at Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Predictions
Free Pick: SU Winner – Blue Jackets, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Trends
The over has hit in three of Columbus’ last five outings.
This game features two clubs that shoot the puck early and often. Montreal has attempted the league’s eighth-most shots on goal (33.5) while Columbus’s attempted the fourth-most (34.3).
The Canadiens are 9-14 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 19-28 in games where they’re in the penalty box for fewer than 10 total minutes.
Three of Montreal’s last ten games have gone to a shootout. The team is 0-3 in those games and 2-6 overall in shootouts this season.
Columbus skaters have averaged 9.2 takeaways per game over its last five home games, an improvement over its season average of 7.4 takeaways per game (ranked 13th).
Montreal has averaged 1.8 goals per game, while giving up 4.0, over its last four games (0-4 SU over that span).
Montreal is ranked 14th with 7.4 takeaways per game. That figure has trended upward, as it has averaged 8.5 takeaways over its last 10 games and 8.4 takeaways over its last five.
Columbus might hold the upper hand if it’s a close one late. The team’s 20-11 in games decided by one goal, while Montreal is 10-15 in such games.
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