New Jersey Devils vs. Montreal Canadiens: Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 11/15/2022

by Chuck Sommers

Monday, Nov 14, 2022
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Venue: Bell Centre, Montreal, QE
Where to watch: RDS, TSN2, MSGSN

Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks


DraftKings: Devils -170, Habs +145
FanDuel: Devils -188, Habs +152
BetMGM: Devils -167, Habs +140
Caesars: Devils -170, Habs +143

Season record
Devils: 12-3-0 (24 points)
Canadiens: 8-6-1 (17 points)

What an electric start to the NHL season. So much parity, so many good teams through the first 10-plus games, you have every right to be excited! Of course the Vegas Golden Knights and Boston Bruins are heading the fun charge here as the top two teams in the league, because of course they are. But never count out the Avalanche, you know they're always going to be hanging around and will be eating worlds once they get everyone healthy. But this is a good time to be playing these hockey games, as well. Look no further than our own Doc's Sports on a 14-7-0 run over the first 30 days of the NHL season. There's also ASA, Inc. posting a 12-5-1 mark through the first month. You know you can trust our champion handicappers to get you across the finish line with your NHL bets. Check out our Best Bets page at bigal.com to see what we're throwing down!

Devils - Habs preview, prediction and analysis


Recent results
Devils: won nine straight; won 4-2 vs. Coyotes
Habs: won 3 straight; won 5-4 (OT) vs. Penguins

I am beyond shocked and quite amazed that the New Jersey Devils have a chance to secure the longest winning streak in the NHL should they beat the Montreal Canadiens at Bell Centre on Tuesday. This is quite possibly the dumbest situation I’ve ever seen but in the likely event that it happens, let it be known that the world is ending and may God have mercy on all of our souls.
 
Sure, you have the Vegas Golden Knights and Boston Bruins dominating the top of the league, but did anyone ever stop to think that the Devils could actually join them? It’s quite funny, actually. Maybe a bit comical and a slap in my face for keeping Lindy Ruff, but there’s still 67 games to go and damn it if we’re not going to get some entertainment out of this.
 
The Devils got their ninth straight win on Saturday with a 4-2 win against the Arizona Coyotes at home. Now with the Devils on their way to a Canadian road trip against a tough Habs team, this might be one of their first tests as far as a team that can play a physical game as well as defeat them with skill.
 
But we are going to give the Devils their due for how well they’ve quickly ascended up the NHL standings in what’s been considered a make-or-break year for the Devils and coach Lindy Ruff. And whether it’s been Mackenzie Blackwood or Vitek Vanecek or now Akira Schmid, the Devils keep finding ways to win. Only two winning streaks have been longer than the nine-game run they’re on right now; 2000-01 with 13 games, and 11 games in 2005-06.
 
"There's been some good teams in Jersey, so those are stats that maybe kind of pop up and guys in the room, think, 'That's cool,'" Devils forward Nathan Bastian said. "But, hey, every day we come to work and try to get a little bit better."
 
The Devils have been able to get scoring from a variety of ways. Whether it be Jesper Bratt leading the way with 19 points, captain Nico Hischier with a team-leading eight goals, or Jack Hughes hopefully staying healthy and becoming the superstar he can be, the Devils are loaded everywhere. Not to mention Dougie Hamilton and Ryan Graves providing points from the backend, as well.
 
But the Devils aren’t the only group with a balanced scoring attack. The Canadiens are off to a great start in the first full year under Martin St. Louis and it’s showing. Cole Caufield has nine goals through 15 games; Kirby Dach is getting utilized in Montreal more than he did in Chicago and has 14 points through 15 games. And of course, there’s Nick Suzuki with 19 points through 15 games. The youngest captain in Habs history continues to be an incredible player.
 
Montreal is going for its fourth straight win after winning 5-4 in overtime against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday. Suzuki had a goal and an assist, but it was Mike Hoffman from Dach for the winning goal 1:03 into the extra frame. When Montreal is winning, it’s good for the league. Unlike Toronto.
 
"I think everyone's chipping in and buying in, we're playing the right way," Hoffman said. "We're having fun with each other, working hard, and the chemistry is great on the ice and great off the ice as well."
 

Prediction

 
Not that you ever want to see a long winning streak end, but this might be the time for it. The Devils have a young goalie going into Montreal, a fanbase that will be red hot and hoping to see its team win the biggest game of the season. I can’t wait to see how these styles translate. Canadiens win 4-3


Betting trends


Devils are 7-0 after scoring 3 or more in back-to-back games this season.

Canadiens are 4-15 at home after two straight overs since 1996.

The over is 10-2 after a win off a 1-goal win the last few years.

Projected lines


Devils:

Tomas Tatar -- Nico Hischier -- Fabian Zetterlund

Erik Haula -- Jack Hughes -- Jesper Bratt

Yegor Sharangovich -- Dawson Mercer -- Jesper Boqvist

Miles Wood -- Michael McLeod -- Nathan Bastian

Jonas Siegenthaler -- Dougie Hamilton

Ryan Graves -- John Marino

Brendan Smith -- Damon Severson

Akira Schmid

Canadiens:

Cole Caufield -- Nick Suzuki -- Kirby Dach

Mike Hoffman -- Christian Dvorak -- Brendan Gallagher

Evgenii Dadonov -- Sean Monahan -- Josh Anderson

Jonathan Drouin -- Jake Evans -- Joel Armia

Kaiden Guhle -- David Savard

Joel Edmundson -- Arber Xhekaj

Jordan Harris -- Johnathan Kovacevic

Jake Allen

Statistical leaders


Devils:
Points: Jesper Bratt -- 19
Goals: Nico Hischier -- 8
Assists: Jesper Bratt -- Jesper Bratt -- 14
Goalie: Vitek Vanecek -- 6-1-1, 2.33 GAA, .909 SV%

Habs:
Points: Nick Suzuki -- 19
Goals: Nick Suzuki -- 10
Assists: Kirby Dach -- 10
Goalie: Jake Allen -- 5-5-0, 3.19 GAA, .902 SV%

Don't miss our champion handicappers' free picks and expert hockey picks today. And if you enjoyed this New Jersey Devils - Montreal Canadiens prediction, be sure to drop by every day for our daily NHL projections and previews.

Chuck Sommers

About the Author:

Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.

All photographic images used for editorial content have been licensed from the Associated Press.

© 2024 Al McMordie's BigAl.com. All Rights Reserved.