Two teams that each took the ice last night, the New Jersey Devils and the Montreal Canadiens clash at Bell Centre in an Eastern Conference matchup. The opening face-off is at 7 p.m. ET on Sunday, April 1, and fans at home can see it live on Sportsnet.
New Jersey Devils vs. Montreal Canadiens Odds
New Jersey (-160) is currently the favorite over Montreal (+140) and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at an even 6 goals. The odds for betting that total sit at -110 money on the over and -110 for the under.
New Jersey is 41-37 straight up (SU) and has netted 9.9 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 78 regular season contests, 39 of its games have gone over the total, while 36 have gone under and just two have pushed. This 2017-18 Devils team is 20-19 SU on the road.
New Jersey has converted on 21.3 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 12th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 81.9 percent of all penalties.
The Devils, as a collective unit, have been called for penalties 3.7 times per game overall during the 2017-18 season, and 3.0 per game over its last five games. The team has had to kill penalties just 7.1 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Sporting a .909 save percentage and 28.0 saves per game, Cory Schneider (18-21-6) has been the primary option in goal for New Jersey this season. If it decides to give him a rest, however, the team might roll with Keith Kinkaid (23-15-3 record, .910 save percentage, 2.89 goals against average).
The visiting Devils have relied on Taylor Hall and Nico Hischier heavily this season. Hall (88 points) has tallied 36 goals and 52 assists, and has recorded two or more points in 25 different games. Hischier has 18 goals and 32 assists to his credit (and has notched a point in 36 games).
On the other side of the rink, Montreal is 28-50 straight up (SU) and has lost 23.9 units for moneyline bettors thus far. Through 78 regular season matches, 41 of its games have gone under the total, while 34 have gone over and just two have pushed. This year, the team’s 18-21 SU as the home team.
The Canadiens have converted on just 21.3 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 32nd overall, and it’s successfully killed off 73.8 percent of all opponent power plays.
Montreal players have been called for penalties 3.8 times per game in total this season, 3.6 per game over their past five contests total, and 4.4 per game over their last five home outings. The team’s had to stave off opponent power plays 14.4 minutes per contest over their last five home games.
Carey Price (27.3 saves per game) has been the top netminder in goal for the Canadiens. Price has 16 wins, 30 losses, and six overtime losses and has recorded a pedestrian 3.07 goals against average and a subpar .902 save percentage this year.
Brendan Gallagher (30 goals, 21 assists) will lead the attack for Montreal.
New Jersey Devils at Montreal Canadiens Free Picks
Pick: SU Winner – Devils, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes
Montreal is 2-6 in games decided by a shootout this season while New Jersey is 5-4 in shootouts.
The over has hit in three of Montreal’s last five outings.
10 of Montreal’s last ten outings have been decided by two or more goals. The club is 3-7 overall in those games.
This game features two of the more aggressive teams in the league. New Jersey skaters have accounted for the 11th-most hits in the league (22.6 per game) and the Habs have recorded the second-most (26.5).
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