In this article, we will formulate a Columbus Blue Jackets vs Montreal Canadiens prediction for this NHL game on Wednesday, November 27th at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.
Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Preview
The Columbus Blue Jackets are 9-9-2 this year after they defeated Carolina in a shootout by a score of 5-4 in their last game. Columbus blew an early 3-2 lead, but they tied the game in the third and won in the shootout. The Blue Jackets were outshot by a total of 36-32, won 39.1% of the face-offs, and went 1-5 on the power play in the game. Columbus got goals from Marchenko (2), Voronkov, and Fabbro, while Merzlikins stopped 32 out of 36 shots in the game.
Prior to that win, the Blue Jackets defeated Tampa Bay by a score of 7-6 and Boston by a score of 5-1. Columbus has scored 3.45 goals per game and they have allowed 3.60 goals against per game, while also going 18.2% on the power play and 77.8% on the penalty kill this season. Kirill Marchenko has led Columbus with eight goals, 12 assists, and 51 shots on goal, while Elvis Merzlikins is 6-5-1 with a 3.08 goals-against average and a .894 save percentage.
Montreal Canadiens Betting Preview
The Montreal Canadiens are 7-11-3 this season after they lost to Utah in overtime by a score of 3-2 in their last game. Montreal led 2-1 in the third period, but they couldn’t hold the lead and lost in overtime. The Canadiens were outshot by a total of 29-13, won 57.8% of the face-offs, and went 0-3 on the power play in the game. Montreal got goals from Newhook and Struble, while Montembeault stopped 26 out of 29 shots in the game.
Prior to that loss, the Canadiens lost to Vegas by a score of 6-2 but did beat Edmonton and Columbus before that. Montreal has scored 2.80 goals per game and they have allowed 3.80 goals against per game, while also going 22.4% on the power play and 82.4% on the penalty kill this season. Nick Suzuki has led Montreal with seven goals, 12 assists, and 45 shots on goal, while Cayden Primeau is 1-2-1 with a 4.59 goals against average and an .842 save percentage this year.
Why the Blue Jackets will beat the Canadiens
- The Canadiens have lost each of their last six road games after coming off overtime.
- The Blue Jackets have won each of their last six home games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Blue Jackets have covered the puck line in each of their last nine home games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Canadiens have failed to cover the puck line in five of their last six road games.
- The Blue Jackets have won the first period in each of their last six games as favorites following an overtime win.
Total Goals Facts
- Eight of the Blue Jackets’ last nine home games against Eastern Conference opponents have gone OVER the total goal line.
- Eight of the Canadiens’ last nine games as underdogs on the second leg of a back-to-back have gone OVER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Canadiens’ last 14 games as underdogs against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in 20 of the Blue Jackets’ last 21 night games at Nationwide Arena.
Columbus Blue Jackets Player Prop Facts
- Dmitri Voronkov has scored a goal in four of the Blue Jackets’ last five games.
- Kent Johnson has recorded at least one point in each of his last six appearances.
- Zach Werenski has recorded at least one assist in each of the Blue Jackets’ last five games against Atlantic Division opponents.
Montreal Canadiens Player Prop Facts
- Cole Caufield has scored a goal in each of his last five road appearances after playing less than 20 minutes the previous day.
- Cole Caufield has recorded a point in each of his last 10 road appearances after playing less than 20 minutes the previous day.
- Mike Matheson has recorded at least one assist in each of the Canadiens’ last five games against the Blue Jackets.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Columbus Blue Jackets rank 29th in the league for goals against per game this season (3.60).
- The Columbus Blue Jackets rank T7th in the league for goals per game this season (3.45).
- The Montreal Canadiens rank 30th in the league for goals against per game this season (3.76).
- The Montreal Canadiens rank 8th in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (83.33%).
Columbus Blue Jackets vs Montreal Canadiens Prediction
Montreal comes into this matchup after losing in overtime on Tuesday night, so they will be on a back-to-back here. The Canadiens were fortunate to get to overtime in that game, as they were badly outshot in the loss. Montreal is 2-6-1 on the road, while Columbus is 7-3-0 at home. The Blue Jackets have won three games in a row and four of their last five, and I think they will find more success against this Montreal backup goalie. Take Columbus here.