Canadiens vs Devils Prediction NHL Picks 2/24/24

New Jersey Devils (28-24-4) vs Montreal Canadiens (22-27-8)

Game Info: Saturday, February 24, 2024 at 2:00 pm (Prudential Center)

Betting Odds: New Jersey Devils -233 / Montreal Canadiens +180 --- Over/Under: 6.5

The Montreal Canadiens are riding a 4-game losing streak. The New Jersey Devils need a win after losing 3 of their last 4 games. Let’s preview this game and give out a Montreal Canadiens vs New Jersey Devils prediction.

Montreal Canadiens Betting Preview

The Montreal Canadiens recently lost to the Rangers, Capitals, Sabres and Penguins during this streak. The Montreal Canadiens are averaging 2.74 goals per game and are scoring on 19.4 percent of their power play opportunities. Nick Suzuki leads Montreal with 20 goals, Mike Matheson has 34 assists and Cole Caufield has 217 shots on goal. Defensively, the Montreal Canadiens are allowing 3.53 goals per game and are killing 73.6 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Jake Allen has given up 67 goals on 634 shots faced, and Sam Montembeault has allowed 86 goals on 877 shots.

New Jersey Devils Betting Preview

The New Jersey Devils recently beat the Flyers while losing to the Capitals and Rangers. The New Jersey Devils are averaging 3.32 goals per game and are scoring on 22 percent of their power play opportunities. Tyler Toffoli leads New Jersey with 24 goals, Jesper Bratt has 38 assists and Jack Hughes has 190 shots on goal. Defensively, the New Jersey Devils are allowing 3.48 goals per game and are killing 78.7 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Vitek Vanecek has allowed 95 goals on 862 shots faced, while Akira Schmid has given up 41 goals on 383 shots.

New Jersey Devils Player Prop Facts

• Jack Hughes has scored at least one goal in four of the Devils' last five day games at Prudential Center.
• Nico Hischier has recorded at least one point in each of his last 12 appearances in day games at Prudential Center.
• Jack Hughes has recorded an assist in each of his last eight Saturday home appearances.
• Alexander Holtz has scored two goals against the Canadiens this season - equal-most against any opponent.

Montreal Canadiens Player Prop Facts

• Mike Matheson has scored a goal in three of his last four appearances at Prudential Center.
• Mike Matheson has recorded at least one point in each of the Canadiens' last six games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
• Mike Matheson has recorded at least one assist in five of the Canadiens' last six games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
• Nick Suzuki ranks 1st in the league for shootout goals (4) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• The New Jersey Devils rank 26th in the league for goals against per game this season (3.48).
• The New Jersey Devils rank 31st in the league in save percentage this season (.884).
• The Montreal Canadiens rank 31st in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (73.60%).
• The Montreal Canadiens rank 29th in the league for goals against per game this season (3.53).

Montreal Canadiens vs New Jersey Devils prediction

I'm not excited to back the Montreal Canadiens on the road as much as the next guy, but this price is insane. The New Jersey Devils aren't lighting the world on fire as their offense has gone cold recently and the Habs beat the Devils on the road last month. Two struggling teams, but we're getting almost two times our money with one of them. I'll take a shot with the Canadiens given the price, even if it's a fade of the Devils more than anything else. 

The pick in this article is the opinion of the writer, not a PickDawgz site consensus.