Columbus Blue Jackets vs Montreal Canadiens Picks and Predictions November 27th 2024

Columbus Blue Jackets vs Montreal Canadiens November 27th 2024

Planning on watching today’s Canadiens and Blue Jackets game? Catch the action at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH, as the Blue Jackets hosts this showdown at 7:30 ET on ESPN+. This Eastern conference matchup has an over/under of 6.5 goals, and the Blue Jackets are favored by -1.5 goals vs. the Canadiens.

Montreal vs. Columbus Key Information

• Teams: Canadiens at Blue Jackets
• Where: Nationwide Arena Columbus
• Date: Wednesday, November 27th
• Betting Odds CBJ -165 | MON +138 O/U 6.5

The Canadiens Can Win If…

After a 3-1 road loss to the Penguins, the Canadiens are now 7-11-3. Montreal, as underdogs on the puck line, failed to cover. The total was set at 6.5 goals, but the combined score of 4 fell short of that mark.

Montreal’s only goal came in the third period, cutting the deficit to 2-1 before the Penguins added an empty-netter. Christian Dvorak scored for the Canadiens at 14:28 in the third.

Montreal’s offense was held to just one goal in their 3-1 loss to Pittsburgh. Christian Dvorak netted his first goal of the season at the 14:28 mark of the third period. The Canadiens took 26 shots on goal but were unable to score in the first two periods.

Emil Heineman earned his first assist of the season on Dvorak’s goal, while Juraj Slafkovsky picked up his seventh assist. The Canadiens had 20 giveaways in the game.

Defensively, the Canadiens gave up two early goals to the Penguins, one at 4:03 in the first period and another at 1:20 in the second. They also allowed a late empty-net goal, bringing the final score to 3-1. Goalie Sam Montembeault made 21 saves with a 91.3% save percentage, while the defense added 4 takeaways and 28 hits.

• Over their last three regular season games, the Canadiens have gone 1-2 straight up. They have held up well vs the puck line in these matchups, going 2-1 as well as an over-under record of 1-2.
• The Canadiens have gone 3-7 over their last ten regular season games. In these contests, the team went just 5-5 against the spread, while going 3-7 on the over-under.

The Blue Jackets Can Win If…

After a 7-2 loss to the Capitals, the Blue Jackets are now 9-9-2 for the season. Columbus, as the underdog, failed to cover the puck line, and the total of 9 goals surpassed the pre-game line of 6.5.

Columbus’s defense struggled from the start, allowing five goals in the first period. They managed to score twice in the second, but the Capitals added two more, sealing the Blue Jackets’ fate.

Columbus fired 36 shots on goal but managed just two in a 7-2 loss to Washington. Damon Severson netted his fourth goal of the season, while Kevin Labanc added his second. The Blue Jackets were held scoreless in the first period before Severson got them on the board 49 seconds into the second period.

Columbus recorded 13 giveaways and went 0-for-2 on power play opportunities. Sean Monahan picked up his fifth assist on Labanc’s goal, and Zach Aston-Reese earned his second assist of the season.

Columbus’ defense struggled early, conceding five goals in the first period. After narrowing the score to 6-2 in the second, they allowed the final goal at 1:26 in the 3rd. Daniil Tarasov finished with a 68.2% save percentage on 22 shots. The defense added 10 takeaways and 17 hits.

• Columbus has put together a record of 3-0 over their past three games. In terms of betting, the team went 3-0 puck line in these matchups. Their over/under record in these matchups is 2-0-1.
• The Blue Jackets have gone 4-6 over their last ten regular season games. Across these games, their puck line record was just 4-6, while posting an over-under record of 6-3-1.

The Lean

When it comes to a moneyline wager, I’m going with the Canadiens to defeat the Blue Jackets while playing on the road. Given the current moneyline odds at +138, I’m placing a wager on the Canadiens to win outright.

If you’re looking to get a bet down on this matchup, we foresee the Canadiens winning the underdog. However, if you’re not as confident in the Canadiens straight-up, we’d still recommend placing a bet on them to cover the puck line.

If you’re looking at the over/under line set at 6.5 goals, our prediction is that this game will exceed that mark, and we strongly advise placing a bet on the over.

Daily NHL Picks & Predictions from The Best Expert Hockey Handicappers

Blue Jackets Aim to Extend Winning Streak Against Rival Canadiens

The Columbus Blue Jackets are riding high on a three-game winning streak, their first since March 2022, as they prepare to face the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday night. With renewed momentum and a revitalized team dynamic, the Blue Jackets aim to overcome a long-standing challenge: breaking their six-game losing streak against Montreal.

Columbus Blue Jackets: Building Momentum

Columbus enters the matchup with confidence after a thrilling 5-4 shootout victory against the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday. This capped a productive week that began with a dominant 5-1 win over the Boston Bruins and a wild 7-6 overtime triumph against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Zach Werenski, named the NHL’s No. 1 Star of the Week, led the charge with a five-point game against Tampa Bay, including the game-winning goal in overtime. In their most recent victory, Kirill Marchenko netted a crucial goal with just over a minute left in regulation, while Sean Monahan secured the shootout win.

“We’re learning how to win,” Monahan said. “Getting one late and finishing in the shootout shows our growth. It’s a start, and it’s a good sign.”

Turning the Season Around

The Blue Jackets’ streak follows a team meeting that addressed their poor performance in a 5-1 loss to the Canadiens on Nov. 16. Coach Dean Evason called out the team for a lack of unity and effort.

“Up to that point, we were playing well but not together,” Evason explained. “That game showed no pushback or cohesiveness, and that really bothered us.”

Since then, the Blue Jackets have won three straight, all against playoff teams from last season, showing signs of a potential turnaround.

Challenges in Breaking the Streak

Despite their newfound confidence, Columbus faces a daunting challenge in the Canadiens, who have dominated their recent head-to-head matchups. Montreal has won six straight against the Blue Jackets, including the Nov. 16 contest.

Montreal arrives in Columbus after a 3-2 overtime loss to the Utah Hockey Club on Tuesday. Mikhail Sergachev scored the game-winner for Utah just 27 seconds into overtime. Despite the loss, the Canadiens believe their performance offered positives to build on.

“We’ll take the good with the bad,” forward Brendan Gallagher said. “Hopefully, we can respond with a win Wednesday night.”

Montreal’s Road Struggles

The Canadiens begin a three-game road trip with this game, followed by matchups against the New York Rangers and Boston Bruins. However, Montreal has struggled away from home, with a 2-6-1 road record this season.

Forward Alex Newhook downplayed the significance of Utah’s shot advantage in Tuesday’s loss but acknowledged areas for improvement. “It wasn’t a true reflection of chances,” he said.

Team Dynamics: A Tale of Two Clubs

The Blue Jackets have emphasized teamwork and camaraderie during their streak. Defenseman Dante Fabbro described the current atmosphere as a “fun brand of hockey” with everyone “working for each other.”

Meanwhile, Montreal relies on resilience and adaptability as they aim to bounce back on the road. Their recent success against Columbus adds an extra layer of confidence despite their road woes.

What to Watch For

This matchup offers a compelling narrative: Columbus’ resurgence versus Montreal’s historical dominance. Key factors to watch include:

1. Zach Werenski’s leadership as the Blue Jackets’ star player.
2. Montreal’s adaptability in the second game of a back-to-back.
3. Columbus’ ability to maintain their newfound momentum under pressure.

Conclusion

With the Blue Jackets eager to prove themselves and the Canadiens looking to solidify their road performance, the game promises to be a competitive clash. Columbus has the edge in form and confidence, but Montreal’s track record against them cannot be ignored.

Will Columbus break their losing streak against the Canadiens, or will Montreal extend their dominance? Fans won’t want to miss this pivotal matchup as two teams fight for critical points in the standings.