Blue Jackets vs Canadiens Betting Odds - Jackets should easily outscore Habs' popgun attack
The Blue Jackets vs Canadiens NHL betting odds don’t have a ton of prestige – after all, these cross-conference teams almost never play each other – but if you miss out on tonight’s game, you may be sorry. With their passionate crowd atmosphere, the Habs always put on a show. Meanwhile, the Blue Jackets are playing good hockey of late with Rick Nash leading.
| Blue Jackets vs Canadiens betting odds: Jackets finally have balanced scoring |
| Huselius, Torres stepping up to support Rick Nash up front |
| Mason struggling in sophomore season but Garon filling in admirably |
| Price back on track but Habs can’t score |
Tonight, 7:30 p.m. ET
Blue Jackets vs Canadiens betting odds: Blue Jackets +115, Canadiens -135
Blue Jackets: 12-7-3 (3rd Central)
Canadiens: 11-11-1 (4th Northeast)
Many sportsbook bettors doubted Columbus’ ability to repeat its improbable 2008-09 success, as it seemed too much of it was predicated on the play of two players: goaltender Steve Mason and winger Rick Nash. However, the Jackets have proven that they’re more than a two-man team, especially considering that Mason has suffered through a horrific sophomore slump.
Nash is pulling his weight, scoring at better than a point-per-game clip, but he has some help this season. Kristian Huselius and Raffi Torres have enjoyed hot streaks, Antoine Vermette is provides solid two-way play and defensemen Fedor Tyutin and Anton Stralman are delivering on the potential they never realized with their previous teams. Another bright spot for the Jackets has been backup goaltender Mathieu Biron, who’s posted a .913 save percentage spelling Mason. After Mason got the hook in a blowout loss to the Rangers last night, don’t be surprised if Garon gets the start tonight in his native Quebec. A former Canadien, Garon played well with Montreal earlier in his career.
The Habs rallied last week with two wins and an overtime loss as Carey Price found his game but scoring remains a problem. They’ve topped three goals once in their last eight games and have lost Brian Gionta, a key offseason acquisition, to a broken foot. Tomas Plekanec and Michael Cammalleri are enjoying nice seasons but no one else is contributing anything; Scott Gomez, Jaroslav Spacek and Andrei Kostitsyn have been busts. Can we thus trust Montreal’s Blue Jackets vs Canadiens betting odds tonight?
DON’S PICK: The Blue Jackets always play well in Montreal (3-1-1 lifetime) and are simply a more dangerous offensive team right now. Their power play ranks third in the league at 25 per cent whereas the punchless Habs offense ranks 25th at 16.7 per cent. Look for Rick Nash to put on a show in a hockey-crazy environment and for Mathieu Garon to step up assuming he gets the start. Even if he doesn’t, I like the Blue Jackets to steal one on the road tonight. Montreal just isn’t scoring enough to be trusted in online betting.
Blue Jackets vs Canadiens betting edge: Blue Jackets +115
Sports betting sharps can check the BetOnline.com sportsbook throughout the day for updated Blue Jackets vs Canadiens betting odds.
