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Montreal Canadiens right wing Cole Caufield celebrates a goal against the Colorado Avalanche as we offer our Canucks vs. Canadiens prediction.
Montreal Canadiens right wing Cole Caufield celebrates a goal against the Colorado Avalanche. Photo by Ron Chenoy via Imagn Images.

I doubt you'll find anyone who predicted the Montreal Canadiens would have a 7-2-0 record in the last nine games, the NHL's third-best points percentage (.778) in that span.

It's not just their record but who they've defeated that leaves one wondering what Martin St. Louis has done to turn things around so drastically.

They return to Bell Centre for Monday's encounter against the Vancouver Canucks (7:30 p.m. ET) after winning four of six on their recent road trip, beating Stanley Cup odds contenders Florida, Tampa Bay, Vegas, and Colorado. 

The Canucks are trending in the opposite direction, winners of just one of their last five away tilts. Our Canucks vs. Canadiens prediction jumps on the bandwagon of piping-hot Montreal while offering a Cole Caufield prop.   

Today's Canucks vs. Canadiens prediction

Odds via our best NHL betting sites; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale.

My best pick: Canadiens ML ⭐⭐⭐

Best odds: +110 via Betway | Implied probability: 47.62%

There's always a chance for a letdown after such an irrepressible road trip, which I hope doesn't occur at the Bell Centre. The Canadiens were outstanding despite having fewer expected goals in three of the previous five games, four of which they won. 

They finished the road trip 4-2-0, losing to two non-playoff teams, Columbus and Chicago, while beating four bona fide Cup contenders. Go figure.

Speaking of dichotomies, Montreal had the fourth-worst points percentage (.417) before Dec. 16. Since then, they are the league's third-best team, taking the scalps of four elite teams in just over a week. St. Louis' squad faces a Vancouver Canucks team with the second-best road points percentage (.706).

However, Rick Tocchet and Co. have stumbled recently, losing four of the previous five in enemy rinks. 

During that span, Vancouver's attack has been as anemic as a starving animal, scoring the fewest goals per game (1.80) while allowing the 16th-most. I'm banking on the Canadiens riding the tsunami of momentum and confidence to take advantage of a team mired in inconsistency.

Montreal has also been excellent at the Bell Centre recently, where it has triumphed in five of the last seven. The plus-money odds provided the final incentive to back the underdogs, and a winning $10 bet would profit $11.

Canucks vs. Canadiens player prop pick

NHL picks made Monday; odds subject to change.

Cole Caufield prop pick: Anytime goal ⭐⭐⭐

Best odds: +150 via Betway | Implied probability: 40%

It was as if Caufield was fired out of a cannon to start the campaign. The 24-year-old had 10 goals in 11 games to start the season. He then went cold, colder than an ex-husband or wife after an acrimonious divorce. The streaky scorer then came to life again, scoring in three straight before fading into the background for an extended period.

Well, he's back scoring and has netted in three straight. I like him to get his fourth in as many games at the Bell Centre, where he hasn't lit the lamp since Dec. 7. If he does, a winning $10 wager will profit $15.

Canucks vs. Canadiens live odds & info

  • When: Monday, Jan. 6
  • Puck drop: 7:30 p.m. ET
  • Where: Bell Centre (Montreal, Que.)
  • How to watch: Amazon Prime
  • Favorite: Canucks (-130 via Betway)

Canucks vs. Canadiens injuries

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