Canadiens vs. Blue Jackets Player Props, Picks and Predictions – Wednesday, Nov. 29

Nov 12, 2023; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens center Nick Suzuki (14) plays the puck against the Vancouver Canucks during the second period at Bell Centre.
Image Credit: David Kirouac-USA TODAY Sports

We have your Montreal Canadiens vs. Columbus Blue Jackets prop betting and game preview needs covered as the Montreal Canadiens hit the road to face the Columbus Blue Jackets.

The Columbus Blue Jackets (7-12-4) are set to host the Montreal Canadiens (9-10-2) in a clash of Eastern Conference teams looking to climb the standings. As both teams aim to build on their recent performances, this matchup promises to be a critical juncture in their seasons.

Montreal Canadiens vs. Columbus Blue Jackets Odds Info

Moneyline: Montreal Canadiens +112 (FanDuel) / Columbus Blue Jackets -130 (DraftKings)

Puck Line: -1.5 – Montreal Canadiens -210 (BetMGM) / Columbus Blue Jackets +180 (DraftKings)

Total: 6.5 – -105 (Bet365) / -106 (BetRivers)

Game Info

Date: Wednesday, Nov. 29

Time: 07:00 PM

Location: Nationwide Arena – Columbus, OH

TV: ESPN+

Montreal Canadiens Betting Trends

  • On the road this season, the Montreal Canadiens have 4 wins and 6 losses.
  • As the underdog this season, the Montreal Canadiens have 6 wins and 12 losses.
  • This season, the Montreal Canadiens have hit 11 overs and 10 unders.

Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Trends

  • At home this season, the Columbus Blue Jackets have 5 wins and 7 losses.
  • As the favorite this season, the Columbus Blue Jackets have 1 win and 2 losses.
  • This season, the Columbus Blue Jackets have hit 13 overs and 10 unders.

Historic Head-to-Head Stats and Analysis

Over the last two seasons, the Montreal Canadiens and Columbus Blue Jackets have faced off four times, with the Canadiens emerging victorious in three of those encounters. The most recent of these matchups took place on October 26, 2023, where Montreal secured a narrow 4-3 victory in overtime. Historically, the home team has held the advantage, winning three out of the four games. When it comes to betting statistics, both teams have split the outcomes against the spread, with each team covering twice. The over/under betting results have leaned towards high-scoring affairs, with the over hitting three times and the under just once. Key statistics from these games reveal a trend of competitive play, with the total score of the games ranging from 4 to 10 goals, indicating a mix of both defensive battles and offensive showcases. The goaltending performances have varied, with save percentages ranging from as high as 0.968 to as low as 0.75, reflecting the fluctuating nature of each team’s defensive resilience during these matchups.

The most recent game between the two teams on October 26, 2023, was a tightly contested affair that saw the Canadiens edge out the Blue Jackets with a 4-3 overtime win. The game was characterized by effective power play performances from both teams, with Columbus converting 50% of their power play opportunities and Montreal capitalizing at a rate of 40%. The Blue Jackets’ Emil Bemstrom notched two goals, while the Canadiens’ Cole Caufield matched with a pair of his own, including the game-winner in overtime. The goaltenders had a busy night, with Columbus’ Elvis Merzlikins facing 29 shots and making 25 saves for a save percentage of 0.862, while Montreal’s Sam Montembeault turned away 33 of the 36 shots he faced, posting a save percentage of 0.917. The game’s final score exceeded the closing over/under line of 6.5, continuing the trend of high-scoring games between these teams.

Montreal Canadiens vs. Columbus Blue Jackets Predictions

The Columbus Blue Jackets enter this game with a recent uptick in form, having secured a 5-2 victory over the Boston Bruins, showcasing a potential resurgence in their offensive play. The Blue Jackets, led by Boone Jenner’s impressive 11 goals and 5 assists, are looking to capitalize on their home ice advantage at Nationwide Arena. Despite their 20th rank in offensive output, averaging 2.91 goals per game, and a defensive record that sees them conceding 3.39 goals per game, Columbus will be relying on their top line to spark their offense early against the Canadiens.

Montreal, on the other hand, is coming off a 4-0 loss to the Los Angeles Kings and will be eager to bounce back. The Canadiens have struggled to find consistent scoring, ranking 27th in offense with an average of 2.71 goals per game. However, with players like Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Sean Monahan combining for 18 goals and 29 assists, there’s potential for Montreal’s offense to ignite. Defensively, they’ve been allowing 3.45 goals per game, which they’ll need to tighten up against a Blue Jackets team looking to build on their recent scoring success.

This game will feature key player matchups, including the Canadiens’ leading scorer Nick Suzuki, who has tallied 17 points, against the Blue Jackets’ Boone Jenner. Additionally, goaltending could play a pivotal role, with Columbus likely turning to Elvis Merzlikins, who has a .940 save percentage over his last three games, and Montreal’s Samuel Montembeault aiming to rebound after a tough outing. As both teams vie for a much-needed win, this game could come down to which team capitalizes on their opportunities and manages to shore up their defensive play.

Montreal Canadiens vs. Columbus Blue Jackets Pick

The Montreal Canadiens come into this game as underdogs, but with a moneyline of +112, the value is too good to pass up. Despite their recent loss to the Kings, the Canadiens have shown they can compete with the Blue Jackets, having won three of their last four encounters, including an overtime victory in their most recent matchup. The Canadiens’ offense, led by Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield, has the potential to exploit the Blue Jackets’ defensive weaknesses, as Columbus has been allowing an average of 3.39 goals per game. Furthermore, Montreal’s goaltender Samuel Montembeault is expected to bounce back after a tough outing, and his performance will be crucial in keeping the Blue Jackets’ scoring at bay.

Historically, the head-to-head matchups have seen high-scoring games, with the over hitting three times in the last four meetings. This trend suggests that the Canadiens’ offense could come alive against a Columbus team that has struggled defensively. Additionally, the Canadiens have been successful as underdogs this season, securing six victories in 18 games when listed as such. With the game being played at Nationwide Arena, where the home team has not always dominated, the Canadiens have a strong chance to upset the Blue Jackets, making the Montreal moneyline bet the smart play for this game.

The Pick: Montreal Canadiens +112 (FanDuel)