Colorado Avalanche vs Montréal Canadiens Picks and Predictions January 4th 2025

Colorado Avalanche vs Montréal Canadiens January 4th 2025

Planning on watching today’s Canadiens and Avalanche game? Catch the action at Ball Arena in Denver, CO, as the Avalanche hosts this showdown at 7:00 ET on ESPN+. The over/under goal line for this matchup is currently at 6.5 goals, and the Avalanche are favored by -1.5 vs. the Canadiens.

Limited Time Offer

Montreal vs. Colorado Key Information

• Teams: Canadiens at Avalanche
• Where: Ball Arena Denver
• Date: Saturday, January 4th
• Betting Odds COL -300 | MON +243 O/U 6.5

The Canadiens Can Win If…

Montreal’s 3-1 loss to the Penguins dropped them to 17-18-3 on the season. The Canadiens were underdogs on the puck line, and the total was set at 6.5 goals, but the combined score of 4 fell short of that mark.

All of the scoring for Montreal came in the third period, as they trailed 2-0 before Christian Dvorak found the net at 14:28. The Penguins added an empty-net goal with 0:45 left to seal the win.

Christian Dvorak netted his first goal of the season in the Canadiens’ 3-1 loss to the Penguins. Juraj Slafkovsky picked up his 7th assist, while Emil Heineman added his first assist of the year.

Montreal put 26 shots on goal but struggled with giveaways, tallying 20 in the game. The Canadiens were held scoreless until Dvorak’s goal at 14:28 in the third period.

Montreal’s defense gave up the first two goals of the game, with both coming from Sidney Crosby. The first was at 15:57 in the first period, and the second came on a power play at 18:40 in the second. The Canadiens cut the lead to 2-1 in the third, but they gave up an empty-net goal with 45 seconds remaining, leading to a 3-1 loss. Goalie Sam Montembeault made 21 saves with a 91.3% save percentage, while the defense recorded 4 takeaways and 28 hits.

• Over their last three games, the Canadiens have gone 2-1 straight up. Their strong play has also resulted in an puck line mark of 2-1 (last 3). They had an over/under mark of 1-1-1 in those same games.
• Through their last ten regular season contests, Montreal has a record of 6-4. In these contests, the team went just 7-3 against the spread, while going 5-3-2 on the over-under.

The Avalanche Can Win If…

Following a 5-2 loss to the Predators, the Avalanche now sit at 24-15-0. Colorado held a 1-0 lead at one point, but Nashville responded with five unanswered goals. The Avalanche were underdogs on the puck line, and the total of 7 goals surpassed the pre-game line of 6.5.

Cale Makar put Colorado on the board first with a goal at 17:06 in the second period. The Predators tied it up at 11:29 in the same period and took the lead for good with 1:20 remaining in the second. Nathan MacKinnon scored for the Avalanche in the third period, cutting the deficit to 3-2, before Nashville added two empty-net goals to seal the game.

The Avalanche took 30 shots on goal against Nashville, but only found the net twice in a 5-2 loss. Cale Makar opened the scoring with his 5th goal of the season, coming on a power play in the second period. Nathan MacKinnon added his 6th goal, scoring with 2:17 left in the game.

Makar also picked up his 16th assist on MacKinnon’s goal. MacKinnon, who had 6 shots on goal, now has 14 assists this season. The Avalanche had 23 giveaways in the game.

Defensively, the Avalanche will look to bounce back after allowing five goals to the Predators, including two empty-netters. Justus Annunen made 21 saves with a save percentage of 87.5%. Colorado’s defense also recorded 11 takeaways and 26 hits.

• Colorado will look to keep things rolling as they have put together a mark of 3-0 over their past three games. This also includes going 2-1 puck line and an over-under mark of 2-1.
• Through their last ten regular season contests, Colorado has a record of 8-2. Against the spread, Colorado went 7-3 in these games and finished with an over-under mark of 5-5.

The Lean

When it comes to a straight moneyline bet, look no further than the Avalanche. Nevertheless, given the payout of -300, you could also think about incorporating this bet into a parlay.

My recommended pick for the puck line is to take the Canadiens to cover. Even if the Avalanche win straight-up, this one should be close throughout and the Canadiens should cover the puck line.

For those looking at the over/under line set at 6.5 goals, our expectation is that this game will surpass that mark, and we suggest making a bet on the over.

Daily NHL Picks & Predictions from The Best Expert Hockey Handicappers

The Colorado Avalanche have been tested by injuries this season, but their resilience and star power continue to fuel an impressive winning streak. On Saturday, they’ll face the surging Montreal Canadiens at Ball Arena in Denver, where both teams aim to keep their momentum alive.

Resilience in the Face of Adversity

The Avalanche have had to shuffle their lineup due to a slew of injuries, the latest being backup goaltender Scott Wedgewood. He injured his right leg in Thursday’s thrilling 6-5 overtime comeback against the Buffalo Sabres after a collision with Sabres forward Zach Benson.

Wedgewood’s absence will elevate Mackenzie Blackwood into a heavier role. Coach Jared Bednar provided a cautious update:

“They’re hoping it’s not a high ankle sprain, which would be an automatic six weeks or someplace in that range. If it’s a little lower, or if it’s his foot, we’ll see what the image shows today.”

This injury joins those of Valeri Nichushkin, Miles Wood, and Ivan Ivan, yet the Avalanche have shown no signs of slowing down. Their six-game winning streak has been powered by key performances from top players and a refusal to quit, as evidenced by their rally from a three-goal deficit against Buffalo.

Star Players Carry the Load

Colorado’s success has been fueled by its elite core. Nathan MacKinnon leads the NHL in scoring with 64 points (14 goals, 50 assists), and Mikko Rantanen isn’t far behind with 56 points (22 goals, 34 assists), placing him third in the league.

On defense, Cale Makar continues to dominate with 48 points (13 goals, 35 assists), the most of any NHL blueliner this season. His two-goal effort against Buffalo underscores his ability to impact games at both ends of the ice.

Montreal’s Road Warrior Mentality

The Canadiens, meanwhile, are wrapping up a challenging six-game road trip. Despite playing their second game in as many nights after a 4-2 loss in Chicago on Friday, Montreal enters Saturday’s matchup with confidence.

Coach Martin St. Louis has instilled belief in his young roster, and the results are evident in their recent 6-2 stretch. He attributes their success to consistency:

“Our team recently really believes in what we’re doing. It’s not a magic trick. We’re doing simple things consistently. On the other side of that, there’s magic that happens if you have consistency.”

Cole Caufield has been the Canadiens’ top scorer with 20 goals, while captain Nick Suzuki leads the team in points with 37 (11 goals, 26 assists).

Key Matchups to Watch

• Goaltending Battle: Mackenzie Blackwood will need to step up for Colorado in Wedgewood’s absence. Meanwhile, Montreal will likely rely on their tandem of Jake Allen and Samuel Montembeault, who have been solid but will be tested by Colorado’s high-octane offense.
• Top Scorers vs. Defensive Pairings: The dynamic duo of MacKinnon and Rantanen will look to exploit Montreal’s defense, while Suzuki and Caufield aim to challenge Colorado’s depth at the blue line.

Fatigue Factor for Montreal

Montreal’s biggest hurdle may be fatigue. The Canadiens are playing their third game in four nights, and Friday’s loss in Chicago snapped a three-game winning streak. Late scratches like Patrik Laine (flu-like symptoms) and David Savard (upper-body injury) added to their challenges, but the team remains undeterred.

Kirby Dach, who has emerged as a key contributor, expressed confidence in their ability to compete against top-tier opponents:

“I feel like we’re at a point where we can compete and beat anybody in the league with the way we’re playing and the confidence that we have.”

Momentum and Playoff Implications

For Colorado, this game is about maintaining momentum and extending their lead in the Central Division standings. The Avalanche have shown they can rise to the occasion, even with key players sidelined.

For Montreal, it’s an opportunity to prove they belong in the playoff conversation. After missing the postseason since their Cinderella run to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2021, their recent surge has sparked optimism about a return to relevance.

Prediction: A Clash of Styles

The Avalanche’s offensive firepower and home-ice advantage give them the upper hand, but Montreal’s grit and road-tested resilience make them a tough out. Expect a fast-paced, high-energy matchup as these two teams collide.