Montreal Canadiens at Columbus Blue Jackets odds, picks and predictions
The Montreal Canadiens (9-10-2) wrap up a 5-game road trip Wednesday against the Columbus Blue Jackets (7-12-4) at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze FanDuel Sportsbook's lines around the Canadiens vs. Blue Jacketsodds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Canadiens suffered a disappointing 4-0 loss last time out against the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday, and Montreal is just 2-5-0 in the past 7 games overall, while going 4-8-1 in the previous 13 outings. The Under has cashed in each of the past 2 games.
The Blue Jackets surprised the 1st-place Boston Bruins on Monday night in C-Bus, while cashing in 3 of the past 4 games overall. That including a 7-3 win over the Chicago Blackhawks last Wednesday in team's most recent game as a favorite, while easily covering the puck line, too. The Under is 2-1 in the past 3 games for the Jackets.
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Canadiens at Blue Jackets odds
FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:59 a.m. ET.
Canadiens at Blue Jackets projected goalies
Sam Montembeault (4-3-1, 2.81 GAA, .908 SV%) vs. Elvis Merzlikins (5-7-3, 3.11 GAA, .907 SV%)
Montembeault allowed 3 goals on 33 shots in a 4-3 road win against the Anaheim Ducks last Wednesday. He is confirmed to start, and he has a solid 2-2-0 record, 2.73 GAA and .912 SV% in 4 starts and 5 appearances in the month of November.
Merzlikins was not the goaltender of record against the Bruins in the surprise win, it was Spencer Martin. The Latvian netminder has been very good lately, too, though. He has allowed just 7 total goals on 117 shots in the past 3 games, winning 2 of those games, including a 2-1 win in New Jersey on Friday.
Merzlikins was in between the pipes on Oct. 26 in the 1st meeting, resulting in a 4-3 OT loss at Bell Centre in Montreal.
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Canadiens at Blue Jackets picks and predictions
Prediction
Blue Jackets 4, Canadiens 2
The BLUE JACKETS (-137) are a solid play, as Columbus looks to carry over momentum from its big win against Boston last time out.
The Canadiens (+114) have ended up winning just twice in the past 7 games overall, and it could be a little rusty since Montreal hasn't played since Saturday. The Habs are a dismal 5-14 in the past 19 games when playing on 3 or more days of rest.
In addition, Montreal has struggled over the years in Ohio's capital city, going just 2-8 in the past 10 visits to Columbus.
Given Montreal's recent struggles and their poor record in Columbus, the BLUE JACKETS -1.5 (+168) are worth a look.
The UNDER 6.5 (-110) is the lean, but go with a half-unit play at most.
The Under has cashed in 6 of the past 8 games for the Canadiens against teams with a losing overall record.
For the Blue Jackets, while the Over is 8-3-1 in the past 12 games overall, and 4-1 in the past 5 at home, the total has gone low in 4 of the past 5 against losing teams, while going 19-5-2 in the past 26 games following a victory.
