The Montreal Canadiens (15-15-2) take on the Colorado Avalanche (17-11-1) at Ball Arena in Denver on Wednesday. Puck drop is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET (ESPN+).
The Canadiens kicked off a lengthy 7-game road trip with a 3-2 win in overtime against the Arizona Coyotes on Monday night, spoiling Arizona’s 1st outing as a favorite this season. The OT win snapped a 3-game losing skid for the Habs.
The Avalanche picked up a 1-0 win in a shootout Monday over the New York Islanders in Denver, but Colorado continues to struggle to light the lamp. The Avs have managed just 13 total goals in the last 7 games, or 1.8 goals per game (GPG), which is well below its already mediocre 2.9 GPG mark which ranks 23rd in the NHL.
- Moneyline (ML): Canadiens +210 (bet $100 to win $210) | Avalanche -250 (bet $250 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Canadiens +1.5 (-115) | Avalanche -1.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 5.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
Canadiens at Avalanche projected goalies
Jake Allen (9-12-0, 3.33 GAA, .897 SV%) vs Alexandar Georgiev (13-6-2, 2.46 GAA, .923 SV%, 2 SO)
Allen was buried for 5 goals on just 27 shots in a home loss against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday. He has lost 3 of his last 4 starts, allowing 3 or more goals in each of those setbacks. Allen has won in regulation in just 1 of his last 5 starts against Western Conference teams, too, going 2-3-0.
Georgiev stopped all 26 of the shots he faced against the visiting Islanders on Monday, and he has won back-to-back starts for the 1st time since a 3-game win streak from Nov. 19-26.
Canadiens at Avalanche picks and predictions
Prediction
Avalanche 3, Canadiens 1
Moneyline
Eventually the Avalanche (-250) are going to break out, right? But right now, this offense continues to struggle, and there is no way to justify using such a heavy favorite, even in a multi-team parlay.
It’s rather foolish to risk more than 2 1/2 times your potential return, so AVOID, and look to the puck line instead.
Puck line/Against the spread
The AVALANCHE -1.5 (-105) are worth playing near even money on the puck line, although there is obviously still quite a risk of risk here.
The Avs are averaging less than 2 goals per game in the last 7 outings, which is shocking for the defending Stanley Cup champs. Overall, the offense has had issues, although the power play is cashing at a 27.2% clip, good for 6th in the NHL.
The Canadiens are rather middling on the penalty kill at 78.9%, 16th in the league, so if the Avs can draw some penalties, it could use the man advantage to snap out of its offensive slumber.
Over/Under
UNDER 5.5 (-105) might be the best play on the board in this matchup.
The Under is 5-1-1 in the last 7 games overall for Montreal, while going 12-4 in the last 16 road games and 7-3-2 in the last 12 games against winning teams.