Columbus Blue Jackets vs Montreal Canadiens Prediction NHL Picks 11/16/24

In this article, we will formulate a Columbus Blue Jackets vs Montreal Canadiens prediction for this NHL game on Saturday, November 16th at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup. 

Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Preview

The Columbus Blue Jackets are 6-8-2 this year after they beat Pittsburgh by a score of 6-2 in their last game. Columbus was tied at two in the second period, but they scored the last four goals in the game for the win. The Blue Jackets outshot Pittsburgh by a total of 39-23, won 52.5% of the face-offs, and went 1-5 on the power play in the game. Columbus got goals from Aston-Reese, Olivier, Sillinger, Voronkov, Severson, and Werenski, while Merzlikins stopped 21 out of 23 shots in the win. 

Prior to that game, the Blue Jackets lost six games in a row and scored two goals or fewer in all six. Columbus has scored 3.07 goals per game and they have allowed 3.60 goals against per game, while also going 18.4% on the power play and 81.4% on the penalty kill this season. Kirill Marchenko has led Columbus with six goals, nine assists, and 36 shots on goal, while Daniil Tarasov is 3-3-1 with a 3.89 goals-against average and a .865 save percentage this year. 

Montreal Canadiens Betting Preview

The Montreal Canadiens are 5-10-2 this year after they lost to Minnesota by a score of 3-0 in their last game. Montreal allowed one goal in the second and two in the third for the shutout loss. The Canadiens were outshot by a total of 28-19, won 54% of the face-offs, and went 0-3 on the power play in the game. Montreal was led by Struble, who had three shots on goal, while Montembeault stopped 25 out of 27 shots in the game. 

Prior to that loss, the Canadiens defeated Buffalo by a score of 7-5 but did lose the previous six games. Montreal has scored 2.71 goals per game and they have allowed 4.06 goals against per game, while also going 22% on the power play and 79.7% on the penalty kill this season. Nick Suzuki has led Montreal with six goals, 11 assists, and 37 shots on goal, while Sam Montembeault is 4-8-1 with a 3.29 goals against average and an .893 save percentage this year. 

Why the Blue Jackets will beat the Canadiens

• The Canadiens have lost seven of their last eight games.
• The Blue Jackets have won four of their last five games against Eastern Conference opponents.
• The Blue Jackets have covered the puck line in six of their last seven games as underdogs against Eastern Conference opponents.
• The Canadiens have failed to cover the puck line in six of their last seven night games.
• The underdogs have won the first period in three of the Blue Jackets’ last four games.

Total Goals Facts

• Six of the Canadiens’ last seven games against Metropolitan Division opponents have gone OVER the total goal line.
• Five of the Blue Jackets’ last six games against Atlantic Division opponents have gone OVER the total goal line.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Canadiens’ last six games as favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in 14 of the Blue Jackets’ last 15 games as road underdogs.

Montreal Canadiens Player Prop Facts

• Mike Matheson has recorded at least one assist in seven of the Canadiens’ last eight home games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
• Cole Caufield has scored the last goal in three of his last four appearances with the Canadiens as home favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.
• Cole Caufield has scored at least one goal in five of his last six appearances with the Canadiens as home favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.
• Cole Caufield has recorded at least one point in each of his last 11 appearances with the Canadiens as home favorites.

Columbus Blue Jackets Player Prop Facts

• Damon Severson has scored a goal in four of the Blue Jackets’ last five games as underdogs against Eastern Conference opponents.
• Kevin Labanc has recorded a point in each of his last six appearances against Eastern Conference opponents.
• Kevin Labanc has recorded an assist in five of his last six appearances against Eastern Conference opponents.

Columbus Blue Jackets vs Montreal Canadiens Prediction 

Both of these teams have had plenty of struggles early in this season, but one team will get a much-needed win in this matchup. The Blue Jackets have been the worst team in the NHL over the last two weeks and they are just 1-5-2 on the road, but they did pick up a home win on Friday night. Montreal is 3-4-1 at home, but this is the first game back at home after a four-game road trip. I really can’t trust either of these teams to get a win, but I will back Columbus, despite them being on a back-to-back. 

David Racey's Pick: Blue Jackets ML