Canadiens vs. Devils Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight's NHL Game
If the Montreal Canadiens' primary goal of the season is to score the first-overall draft pick, they're overachieving.
Martin St. Louis' squad has lost four in a row and eight of its last ten entering Thursday's contest at the Prudential Center against the New Jersey Devils (7 p.m. ET, ESPN+).
That's particularly concerning considering they're about to play a Devils team, among the Stanley Cup odds favorites, that appears to have figured things out defensively. They've allowed five goals in the last four games, which includes road shutouts against the Vancouver Canucks and Edmonton Oilers.
The Devils have won four of the last six against the Canadiens, three by at least two goals.
There's about as much value backing the Devils on the moneyline as a country's currency during severe inflation, so our Canadiens vs. Devils prediction turns to the puck line.
Canadiens vs. Devils prediction
Odds via our best NHL betting sites; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale.
My best bet: Devils -1.5 ⭐⭐⭐
Best odds: -135 via Betway | Implied probability: 57.45%
There have been some teething concerns for Sheldon Keefe in his first season as the Devils head coach. However, three of the last four games - excluding the egg they laid in Calgary - have shown what the Devils are capable of. They outscored the Anaheim Ducks, Vancouver, and Edmonton 15-3 and prevented the Oilers and Canucks from scoring.
Even the dud in Calgary had some silver linings, as the Flames scored two on just 2.29 expected goals before potting the empty netter. If you exclude a recent four-game losing skid in which they allowed 23 goals, the Devils conceded two or fewer in eight of 11 contests.
Offensively, the Devils create chances as often as Walmart provides price rollbacks.
They have the fourth-most expected goals (31.98) and are tied for the third-most high-danger shots (38). Those facets will be particularly concerning for the Canadiens, whose defense is arguably the league's worst.
Canadiens' struggles continue
Aside from Cole Caufield's prolific goal-scoring start, it's hard to find silver linings in the Habs' first 13 games. They've allowed 20 goals in the current four-game skid, scoring only eight. Speaking of allowing goals, the Canadiens concede the second most per game (4).
They've allowed the second-most expected goals against (35.24), the most high-danger shots against (46), and the most goals against per 60 minutes 5-on-5 (3.79).
Montreal's offense hasn't been as dire, but it has the fifth-fewest high-danger shots (20).
While the statistical comparison is as lopsided as a scalene triangle (I had to Google that one), current form is also decidedly in New Jersey's favor.
A winning $10 bet will profit $7.41.
Canadiens vs. Devils player prop bet
NHL picks made Thursday; odds subject to change.
Nico Hischier prop bet: Anytime goal ⭐⭐⭐
Best odds: +155 via Betway | Implied probability: 39.22%
Nico Hischier has 10 goals and is tied with four others atop the NHL's goalscoring chart. He didn't score in the last two games but had five in the previous four and has netted five times in seven home contests.
Hischier has also enjoyed recent success against the Habs, scoring three in the last four. A winning $10 bet will yield a $15.50 profit.
Canadiens vs. Devils live odds & info
- When: Thursday, Nov. 7
- Puck drop: 7 p.m. ET
- Where: Prudential Center (Newark, N.J.)
- How to watch: ESPN+
- Favorite: Devils (-330 via Betway)
Canadiens-Devils predictions made Thursday at 11 a.m. ET.
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