Columbus Blue Jackets vs Montreal Canadiens Prediction, 3/12/2024 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Columbus Blue Jackets vs Montreal Canadiens

Date: Tuesday, March 12, 2024

Location: Bell Centre in Montreal, QC

TV: TSN

Odds/Point Spread: Blue Jackets (+104) Canadiens (-125)

Bell Centre is where the Montreal Canadiens (24-30-10) will take on the Columbus Blue Jackets (22-32-10) on Tuesday. The moneyline on this matchup has Columbus at +104 and Montreal is at -125. The over/under is set at 7.

The Columbus Blue Jackets will look to clean up some issues after taking a 2-1 loss to the Predators in their previous contest . Columbus compiled 6 penalty minutes in this outing. Moreover, they had 2 chances with the advantage but weren't able to score a goal. The Blue Jackets had an offensive game that was below their expectations in this loss. In the game, they converted 1 out of the 33 shots they attempted.

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Columbus Blue Jackets opponents have earned 184 power play opportunities (25th in the league) and have come away with 43 goals in those attempts. The Blue Jackets so far have had 2,149 shots taken against them and have a save percentage of .893. Columbus has taken 1,937 shots and holds a shooting percentage of 9.8%. At even strength, the Blue Jackets have conceded 188 goals while notching 165 as an offensive unit. Columbus is sitting with 176 power play opportunities and they have tallied 25 goals during those advantages, earning them a rate of 14.20%. For the year, they have 54 points and their points % is .422. With respect to their goal scoring prowess, the Columbus Blue Jackets have racked up 190 goals (22nd in the NHL) on the season and have given up 231.

The player guarding the cage in this matchup is Daniil Tarasov. From the beginning of his pro career to now, Tarasov has tallied 18 quality starts and his rate for quality starts is .500. He has a save percentage of .900 during his 2,055 minutes on the ice. Tarasov has seen 1,205 shot attempts against him and has gathered 1,084 saves. Opponents have tallied 121 goals versus Tarasov in his pro hockey career and his goals against average per game is 3.53. He has accumulated an overall mark of 10-22-3 and he started in 36 games. Tarasov has participated in 38 contests over the course of his professional hockey career.

Their last time out, Montreal went up against the Maple Leafs in a matchup where the Canadiens ended up losing by a final of 3-2. The Canadiens tallied 2 goals of the 31 shots on goal they pursued. They had 4 power play chances in this one and tallied 1 out of those attempts.

So far this year, the Montreal Canadiens are sitting with 176 goals, 58 points, as well as a points percentage of .453. They have granted a total of 223 goals to be scored by way of 169 goals at even strength and 54 goals while they had less men on the ice. The Canadiens have 137 goals at even strength and 39 goals (19th in pro hockey) while on the power play. They have earned 208 power play chances and they have a power play rate of 18.75%. Montreal has put up 1,815 shots (26th in professional hockey) and has a shot percentage of 9.70%, while allowing the opposition 2,126 shots. They have a penalty kill rate of 75.12% on their oppositions 217 power play opportunities, and their save percentage currently sits at 89.5%.

Across the rink you will find Sam Montembeault defending the net. Montembeault is sitting with a career mark of 46-57-17 and has been in net for 134 games. Montembeault's quality start percentage is 51.7% and he has 61 quality starting assignments in his career. He has recorded 3,701 stops out of 4,122 shots attempted, which gives him a percentage of .898. His opposition is averaging 3.40 goals per game and he has given up 421 goals altogether. He has been a starter 118 games and has accumulated 7,421 minutes.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Josh's Pick: Take Columbus (+104)

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