Montreal Canadiens vs Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction, 12/23/2024 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Montreal Canadiens vs Columbus Blue Jackets

Date: Monday, December 23, 2024

Location: Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH

TV: NBC4 WCMH-TV

Odds/Point Spread: Canadiens (+220) Blue Jackets (-275)

The Columbus Blue Jackets (13-15-5) are hosting the Montreal Canadiens (12-16-3) at Nationwide Arena on Monday. The line on this matchup has the Canadiens at +220 and the Blue Jackets are at -275. The total comes in at 6.5.

The Montreal Canadiens were on the winning side of the scoreboard with a 6-1 victory against the Sabres in their previous game. Montreal tallied 10 penalty minutes in this contest. The Canadiens had a good offensive outing and it showed in this win. Furthermore, they had 6 chances with extra men on the ice and were able to score 3 goals. In the outing, they scored on 6 of the 27 shots they put on net.

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Montreal Canadiens opponents have 111 power play tries (3rd in hockey) and have scored 21 goals in those chances. The Canadiens thus far have had 918 shots taken against them and hold a save percentage of .877. Montreal has tried 755 shots and is the owner of a shooting percentage of 11.5%. At even strength, the Canadiens let the opposition score 92 goals while earning 65 as an offensive unit. Montreal has 100 power play opportunities and they have tallied 22 goals out of those attempts, giving them a rate of 22.00%. For the current campaign, they sit with 27 points and their points percentage is .435. Regarding their goal scoring prowess, the Montreal Canadiens have notched 87 goals (25th in pro hockey) this season and have allowed 113.

The man in goal for this game is Sam Montembeault. Opponents have been able to score 516 goals versus Montembeault in his pro hockey career and his goals against average per game is 3.84. Montembeault has played in 169 contests over the course of his professional hockey career. His save percentage is at .898 for his 8,053 mins played. He has accumulated a record of 59-73-23 and he has started in 152 games. During his career on the ice, Montembeault is sitting with 81 quality starts and his quality starts rate is .533. Montembeault has seen 5,075 shot attempts against him and has recorded 4,559 total saves.

Their last time out, Columbus squared up with the Devils in a matchup where the Blue Jackets ended up with the victory by a final of 4-2. The Blue Jackets scored 4 goals of the 20 shots on goal they were seeking. They had 2 power play chances in this contest and tallied 1 out of those tries.

This season, the Columbus Blue Jackets have accumulated 107 goals, 31 points, as well as a points percentage of .470. They have allowed 118 goals to be scored by of a combination of 91 goals at even strength and 27 goals while they had less men on the ice. The Blue Jackets have accumulated 90 goals at even strength and 17 goals (22nd in pro hockey) while on the power play. They have recorded 90 power play opportunities and they have earned a power play percentage of 18.89%. Columbus has put up 1,007 shots (4th in the NHL) and has a shot percentage of 10.63%, while allowing their opponents 957 shots. They have recorded a penalty kill percentage of 72.73% on the other teams 99 tries on the power play, and their save percentage comes in at 87.7%.

For the opposition you are going to see Elvis Merzlikins in net. He has a tally of 5,786 stops out of the 6,408 shots attempted, giving him a save % of .903. Merzlikins has accrued a career mark of 78-88-32 and has played in 212 games. He has been a starter 198 contests and has played 10,502 mins. Merzlikins' percentage of quality starts sits at 48.0% and he has qualified for 95 quality starting assignments in his career. His opposition is averaging 3.55 goals/game and he has given up 622 goals in total.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Columbus (-275)

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