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Columbus vs. Montreal: NHL Match Prediction
Columbus will play at home on December 24, where they will host Montreal. The Canadiens have picked up a good pace and are steadily earning points, which cannot be said about the Blue Jackets. Our experts have prepared a forecast that will help you decide on your bets
Command Analysis
Columbus Blue Jackets
USACurrent form
Columbus had been on the decline for a long time and lost a huge number of points. The team losing streak reached five games, and only in two of them did they manage to give a worthy rebuff to their competitors, losing to Washington and Anaheim in overtime with a score of 1:2 and 3:4, respectively. The "jackets" were able to break the losing streak by returning to their home arena, where they met New Jersey and were finally able to show a reliable game in defense, and due to the excellent implementation of moments in the attack, they achieved a successful result and won a confident victory (4:2). The most productive was forward Monahan, who scored twice and also gave an assist. Goalkeeper Merzlikin also made a huge contribution to the success, reflecting 40 shots out of 42.
True, the "jackets" were unable to consolidate their success again, although they were just one step away from a second victory in a row. Evason charges went to visit Philadelphia, where they were unable to stop the pressure of a competitor of their level, allowing them to make a comeback. Remarkably, the "hooligans" equalized the score just two minutes before the final whistle. As a result, it went to overtime, where they had to give in (4:5). This time, Merzlikin was far from being as reliable. Due to a long decline, the club has already dropped to 13th place in the Eastern Conference table, with only 32 points.
Disqualifications and injuries
Columbus has some roster issues, with Chinakhov and Jenner sidelined and Fabbro and Danforth questionable.
Interesting trends for betting
- Columbus is allowing an average of 3.6 goals per game.
Poor defensive play remains the club main problem.
- The Blazers converted just 17% of their power play attempts.
It is also worth noting that the team has great difficulty taking advantage of its numerical superiority.
Montreal Canadiens
CanadaCurrent form
Montreal has finally come to its senses after a long slump and has been pleasing fans with successful results lately. The team winning streak has already reached three games, which began at home, where they managed to crush Buffalo with a score of 6:1. The attack line showed a great game, and in particular, it is worth praising forward Laine, who scored a hat trick. Goalie Montembeault also confidently coped with his task, reflecting 95% of the shots. The Canadiens were able to consolidate their success on the road, where they met Detroit and did not allow it to cling to points, snatching a victory in regular time (4:3). By the beginning of the third period, the Canadians were inferior to their competitor, but were able to pick up the pace, which allowed them not only to tie the score, but also to break ahead.
Returning to the home arena, the team once again fought with the Red Wings and this time left no chance to their competitor, defeating them with a difference of four goals (5:1). It is difficult to even single out any of the players, as everyone showed an excellent game, thanks to which it was possible to achieve such a result. The points scored helped the club finally rise from the last line in the Eastern Conference table, but the gap from the playoffs is still large and amounts to seven points.
Disqualifications and injuries
Montreal infirmary remains unchanged. Only Price will not play in the upcoming match.
Interesting trends for betting
- Montreal is allowing an average of 3.6 goals per game.
The Canadians have been experiencing serious problems in defense throughout the season.
- The Canadiens are averaging 10.6 penalty minutes per game.
It is also worth noting the club weak discipline, which often leads to expulsions.
Trends
Bet First Goal: Columbus
In four of the six head-to-head games, Columbus opened the scoring
1.79Goal in each period bet – yes
In four of the six head-to-head matches, the teams scored a goal in each period.
1.45Tip and bets
Despite all their problems, Columbus is the favorite in the upcoming match, which is quite strange. The team has been in decline for a long time and earns points very rarely. It is difficult to say when the Blue Jackets will come to their senses, but there are no prerequisites for this. Montreal, on the contrary, has begun to please fans with a good, stable game, thanks to which it beats all opponents on its way, both at home and on the road. We suggest taking advantage of the unreasonably high odds and betting in favor of the guests.
Our prediction is Montreal not to lose at 1.77
Bet on total
In the upcoming match, we can expect a large number of goals scored. Both teams have serious problems in defense and often allow their opponents to realize their attacking potential to the fullest.
Forecast - total over six goals for 1.79
Bet on the outcome of the first period
Columbus continues to show excellent play at the start of the match and often earns an advantage at the end of the first period, and home walls will help them with this.
Prediction: Columbus wins in the first period with a handicap of (0) for 1.70
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