Canadiens Host the Jets in Thursday NHL Action

All Canadian Matchup in Montreal

The high-flying Winnipeg Jets will be paying a visit to the Bell Centre on Thursday to take on the Montreal Canadiens. Both teams have been hot of late, with each winning three of their last four games. The Habs are coming off of a decisive 4-1 victory over the struggling Anaheim Ducks, while Winnipeg dropped a heart-breaker in overtime to the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday. This will be a true test for the Canadiens, who have struggled against bigger teams so far this season.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, TSN3 (Winnipeg), TSN2, RDS (Montreal); LINE: Canadiens -115; O/U: 6 Over -115.

After making it all the way to the Western Conference Finals last year, big things have been expected of the Winnipeg Jets this season. Now with just 29 games left, the Jets have not disappointed. They currently sit in first place in the Central Division, with a three-point cushion over the Nashville Predators.

Montreal, on the other hand, was expected to go through a season of rebuilding. Instead, they’ve surprised everyone and sit just one point behind the heavily favored Toronto Maple Leafs for third in the Atlantic Division. While this season has already been a success for Montreal, they’ll want to keep up the intensity and secure a playoff spot. Tune in for the 7:30 PM ET puck drop

This, That, and a Dart Throw

The Jets are 34-16-3 on the season. Wheeler, whose 54 assists rank second in the NHL, scored for the second game in a row Tuesday. He extended his point streak to four contests. There continues to be concern around forward Patrik Laine, who has just one goal in his past 15 games. What is worse, only four in 29 games since the end of November. The 20-year-old scored 18 times in 12 games in that month. Hellebuyck allowed three goals for the fourth consecutive outing but is 7-2-1 in his past 10 appearances. Winnipeg expects D Dustin Byfuglien to return to the lineup Thursday after he missed 15 games with a left ankle injury.

The Canadiens are 30-15-6 on the season. Forward Brendan Gallagher powered the Montreal offense Tuesday. He scored twice to give him a team-high 21 on the season. The Has scored at least four goals for the fourth time during their current 7-1-1 stretch. Drouin has seven points (two goals) in his past five games. He picked up three assists against Anaheim. Carey Price stopped 24-of-25 shots Tuesday. He improved to 6-0-0 with a .957 save percentage and a 1.33 goals against average in his past six starts. C Jesperi Kotkaniemi has scored goals in each of the last three games, giving the 18-year-old rookie five goals in his past nine contests.

PREDICTION: Jets 3, Canadiens 1

NHL Betting Odds & Trends

Winnipeg Jets
The Jets are 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
Winnipeg is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games
The Jets are 10-5 SU in its last 15 games on the road
Winnipeg is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games on the road
The Jets are 6-13 SU in its last 19 games when playing Montreal
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Winnipeg's last 7 games when playing Montreal
The Jets are 3-7 SU in its last 10 games when playing on the road against Montreal
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Winnipeg's last 6 games when playing on the road against Montreal

Montreal Canadiens
The Canadiens are 15-8 ATS in its last 23 games
Montreal is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
The Habs are 7-2 SU in its last 9 games
The total has gone UNDER in 12 of Montreal's last 15 games
The Canadiens are 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games at home
The Habs are 5-2 SU in its last 7 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Montreal's last 11 games at home
The Canadiens are 13-6 SU in its last 19 games when playing Winnipeg
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Montreal's last 7 games when playing Winnipeg
The Habs are 7-3 SU in its last 10 games when playing at home against Winnipeg
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Montreal's last 6 games when playing at home against Winnipeg

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