Montreal Canadiens vs Colorado Avalanche prediction 1-15-24 Picks

The Colorado Avalanche will play the Montreal Canadiens on Monday night at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec. Colorado has won three games in a row, while Montreal is on a three game losing streak. Let’s take a look at the betting matchup and the Avalanche vs Canadiens prediction.

Avalanche Preview

The Colorado Avalanche are 28-12-3 this year after they defeated the Maple Leafs by a score of 5-3 in their last game. Colorado trailed 3-0 after the first period, but they scored the final five goals in the game for the win. The Avalanche out shot Toronto by a total of 33-29 and went 1-4 on the power play in the game. Colorado defeated Vegas by a score of 3-0 and Boston by a score of 4-3 in the two games prior to Toronto. The Avalanche are scoring 3.67 goals per game and they are allowing 3.07 goals against per game, while going 25% on the power play and 83% on the penalty kill. Nathan MacKinnon has led Colorado with 23 goals, 46 assists, and 195 shots on goal. The projected starting goalie for Colorado is Alexander Georgiev, who is 24-9-2 this year with a 2.89 goals against average and a .898 save percentage. 

Canadiens Preview

The Montreal Canadiens are 17-18-7 this season after they lost to Edmonton in overtime by a score of 2-1 in their last game. Montreal led 1-0 in the third period, but they allowed Edmonton to force overtime and win in the extra frame. The Canadiens were out shot by a total of 41-24 and went 1-4 on the power play in the game. Montreal has also lost to San Jose and Philadelphia during this losing streak. The Canadiens are scoring 2.67 goals per game and they are allowing 3.36 goals against per game, while going 17.9% on the power play and 73.2% on the penalty kill. Nick Suzuki has led Montreal with 12 goals, 23 assists, and 96 shots on goal. The projected starting goalie for Montreal is Jake Allen, who is 4-8-2 this year with a 3.52 goals against average and a .900 save percentage. 

Montreal Canadiens Team Facts

• The Canadiens have won three of their last four games as underdogs against Central Division opponents.
• The Canadiens have covered the puck line in seven of their last eight games against Central Division opponents.
• The Canadiens have lost the third period in each of their last six games as underdogs against opponents on a winning streak.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Canadiens’ last five home games against Central Division opponents.

Colorado Avalanche Team Facts

• The Avalanche have won each of their last seven night games.
• The underdogs have covered the puck line in five of the Avalanche’s last six games.
• The Avalanche have won the third period in six of their last seven night games.
• The ‘Over 2.5 Goals Period 1’ market has hit in four of the Avalanche’s last five games against Atlantic Division opponents.

Montreal Canadiens Player Prop Facts

• Nick Suzuki has recorded an assist in each of the Canadiens’ last four games as underdogs against Central Division opponents.
• Nick Suzuki has scored a goal in each of the Canadiens’ last three games as underdogs against Central Division opponents.
• Nick Suzuki has recorded at least one point in each of the Canadiens’ last four games against Central Division opponents.

Colorado Avalanche Player Prop Facts

• Nathan MacKinnon has recorded at least one point in 26 of the Avalanche’s last 27 games.
• Valeri Nichushkin has scored at least one goal in four of the Avalanche’s last five games as favorites.
• Cale Makar has recorded at least one assist in 14 of the Avalanche’s last 15 games as favorites against Atlantic Division opponents.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Montreal Canadiens are one of only two teams to win 3+ games when trailing after Period 2 this season.
• The Montreal Canadiens rank 31st in the league for Period 1 goals scored per game this season (0.62).
• The Colorado Avalanche rank T1st in the league for power play goals this season (41).
• The Colorado Avalanche are one of only two teams to win 3+ games when trailing after Period 2 this season.

Avalanche vs Canadiens Betting Prediction

These two teams are trending in opposite directions, but the Canadiens will have home ice advantage here. Montreal has lost three games in a row, including a home loss to San Jose, who is the worst team in the NHL. Colorado has won three games in a row and is one of the highest scoring teams in the league, while Montreal has scored two goals or fewer in four of their last five games. Colorado shouldn’t have too many issues in this game and I like them to win by at least two goals here.