The Columbus Blue Jackets (22-32-10) travel to face off against the Montreal Canadiens (24-30-10) on Tuesday, March 12th. This game will be played at Bell Centre in Montreal and televised on ESPN+. Both the Blue Jackets and Canadiens will be looking to bounce back from losses in their previous games. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 ET.

Blue Jackets vs Canadiens

The Columbus Blue Jackets Look To Bounce Back From A Loss

Even though the Blue Jackets are in the midst of a disappointing season, they have been playing better of late. Over their last ten games, Columbus is 5-5 and has won three of their last five games. In the Eastern Conference, the Blue Jackets are 16th and have a record of 22-32-10.

On the road, Columbus has struggled this season, going 10-15-6 in 31 games. Against other Eastern Conference teams, the Blue Jackets have a record of 10-29. As the underdog, Columbus has a record of 19-30-9 this season.

When it comes to the puck line, the Blue Jackets have gone 37-27 on the season, including a mark of 19-12 on the road. Overall, Columbus has 14 wins by multiple goals compared to 25 losses by more than one goal.

Over their last ten games, the Blue Jackets have gone 7-3 vs. the puck line and 4-6 in their last ten road games. So far, the team’s average scoring margin sits at -0.6 goals per game.

Coming off a 2-1 loss at home to the Predators, the Blue Jackets are hoping to bounce back today. The Blue Jackets couldn’t find the net offensively in the first or third periods against the Predators, but they did score one time in the second period. Columbus”s lone goal during the game occurred at even strength. They ended with 33 shots on goal in total.

Despite the loss, Columbus did cover the puck line, as they went into the game as the underdog. The game ended below the over/under line of 6.5, with a combined total of 3 goals.

The Montreal Canadiens Look To Bounce Back From A Loss

At 24-30-10, the Canadiens come into today’s game in 14th place in the Eastern Conference. In the Atlantic Division, Montreal is in 7th place, and they have gone just 4-15 against divisional opponents this year. At home, the Canadiens are 12-17-3 this season.

Over their last ten games, Montreal has gone just 2-8, and they have lost their last two games. As the favorite, the Canadiens have gone 4-1-0 this season, and they have been favored in just five of their 64 games this year.

Montreal comes into the game with an average scoring margin of -0.8 goals per game. So far, 21 of their 41 road wins have been by multiple goals. On the year, their puck line record is at 41-23.

When playing at home, the Canadiens have gone 20-12 against the puck line. In their last ten home games, the team has an 8-2 puck line record. So far, they have been the underdog in 59 games and have gone 40-19 vs. the puck line.

Following a 3-2 loss at home to the Maple Leafs, the Canadiens are eager to bounce back. In the first period against the Maple Leafs, the Canadiens scored one goal, in addition to scoring one time in the 3rd period. Of Montreal’s two goals, one came while in power play. They ended the game with 31 shots on goal and had 15 giveaways.

As underdogs, Montreal suffered a loss but still covered the puck line. Combining for 5 goals, the game finished below the over/under line of 6.5.

Columbus Offense Breakdown

On offense, the Blue Jackets are averaging 3 goals per game which is 21st in the NHL. In terms of shots on goal per game, they are 21st in the league. Looking at how the Blue Jackets’ offense is performing during power plays, they are 32nd in power play goals and 29th in shorthanded goals.

This season, the Blue Jackets have an over/under record of 31-30-3. Throughout the season, they have played 33 games that went over the 6.5 over/under line. The average number of goals in their games is 6.6 per game.

Canadiens Offense Breakdown

For their offensive performance, the Canadiens come in averaging 2.8 goals per game this season, which is 27th in the NHL. In the category of shots on goal per game, they are 27th in the league. Coming into the game, the Canadiens have a 6-8 record when they have more shots on goal than their opponent. When they have fewer shots on goal, they are 18-21.

This season, the Canadiens have an over/under record of 33-29-2. Throughout the season, they have played 33 games that went over the 6.5 over/under line. The average number of goals in their games is 6.4 per game.

Columbus Team Defense

Defensively, the Blue Jackets come into the season ranked 2nd in goals allowed. Opponents are averaging 33.3 shots per game against Columbus. For the season, they are ranked 29th in shutouts, coming in with 1 shutouts.

Montreal Team Defense

The Canadiens defense is currently 7th in goals allowed. Opponents are averaging 32.6 shots per game against Montreal. In terms of shutouts, they come into the game ranked 27th with 1 shutouts.

Blue Jackets vs Canadiens Trends

• Across their three previous road games, Columbus has an puck line mark of 1-2. Their straight up record in these matchups was 1-2 while averaging 3 goals per game.
• Although Montreal has a straight up record of 4-6 in their last ten home games, they have not held up as well vs the puck line going 8-2. The team averaged 2 goals per game in these games.
• Going back to their previous three games as the underdog, Montreal has an puck line mark of 2-1 while going 1-2 straight up.
• In their last three games as the betting favorite, the Blue Jackets have a straight up record of 2-1, while going 1-2 against the spread.

Blue Jackets vs Canadiens Prediction

When it comes to a moneyline wager, I’m going with the Canadiens to defeat the Blue Jackets while playing at home. Given the current moneyline odds at -121, I’m placing a wager on the Canadiens to win outright.

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

With an over/under line sitting at 6.5 goals, we like this game to surpass that mark and recommend getting a bet down on the over.

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All odds are courtesy of Action247 Sportsbook. Good luck!!

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* All odds are 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.Action247 does not warrant the accuracy of completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within these post.