Can the Montreal Canadiens Split the First Two Games Against One Another?

The Montreal Canadiens will travel to the Prudential Center on Sunday evening to take on the New Jersey Devils in an Eastern Conference game. This will be the second of three games against one another as they played back on February 8, with the Devils picking up a 7-1 road win. Montreal is last in the Atlantic Division (17-36-10, 44 points) and competing for the worst record in the sport, while New Jersey is seventh in the Metropolitan Division (23-35-5, 51 points) so far. 

These teams are not doing well throughout the season, so this can be an interesting game that many people are not following because of the records. Let’s look at the Canadiens and the Devils and figure this game out. 

Can Nick Suzuki or Jesper Bratt Lead Their Team to a Big Victory?

Center Nick Suzuki has been leading the Canadiens in all three levels as they are scoring 46 points (17 goals, 29 assists) while adding five points in his last five games played. On the offensive side of things, they are averaging 2.51 goals on 29.8 shot attempts per game so far. Goaltender Sam Montembeault has been brutal this season inside of the net as he is 7-13-5 with 3.71 goals allowed per game and a .894 save percentage. Defensively, Montreal is allowing 3.76 goals on 33.9 shots thus far. 

New Jersey has been doing a good job on the offensive side of things as they are scoring 3.06 goals on 32.1 shots this season. Left-winger Jesper Bratt has been doing pretty well as he is tied for 26th in the sport in assists and tied for 29th in the league in points as he is putting up 62 points (21 goals, 41 assists) while posting seven points in his previous four games. The Devils are giving up 3.59 goals on 31.2 shot attempts on the defensive end and need to improve. Goalie Jon Gillies has to improve as he is just 3-10-1 with a .887 save percentage while giving up 3.74 goals allowed per game. 

Montreal Canadiens at New Jersey Devils Betting Prediction

With a win over the New York Rangers on Tuesday and doing it against one of the best goalies in Igor Shesterkin, the Devils have really opened a lot of people’s eyes on the offensive side of things as they are scoring four goals per game in their previous four games. Neither team is doing a great job covering the spread this year as Montreal is 31-32 while New Jersey is 29-34. Go with the New Jersey Devils to cover the puck line in this game as they are playing at a higher level right now.

* All odds provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.
**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.