The Montreal Canadiens and Winnipeg Jets will begin a two-game series starting on Thursday, Feb. 25. The game is set to begin at Bell MTS Place in Winnipeg at 8 p.m. ET. Before we dive into the betting odds for Thursday night’s matchup, let’s get a quick preview of both teams heading into the game.
Game Preview
This game will be played between two middle-of-the-pack teams in the seven-team, all-Canadian North Division. Through 18 games played, Winnipeg comes in with an 11-6-1 record for 23 points, which ranks third in the division, while Montreal is 9-5-4 through 18 games for 22 points, placing the Canadiens in fourth place.
The Jets had split all their series in February before they took two on the road against the Vancouver Canucks. Winnipeg earned a 2-0 victory on Friday, Feb. 19 and needed overtime to beat Vancouver 4-3 on Sunday, Feb. 21. Pierre-Luc Dubois scored the game-winning goal 27 seconds into overtime for Winnipeg. Elias Petterson sent the game into overtime with a goal in the final minute of regulation for the Canucks.
Dubois scored two goals in the victory as the 22-year-old played his third game with the Jets. He returned to the lineup as he missed four games with an injury. Mark Scheifele finished with one goal and one assist to extend his point streak to 10 games, while Neil Pionk added a goal on a power play. Winnipeg goalkeeper Connor Hellebuyck finished with 31 saves in the victory.
The Canadiens will enter Thursday’s game on a three-game losing streak including a two-game road sweep against the division’s last place Ottawa Senators, and both games ended in overtime. The Canadiens fell 3-2 on Sunday, Feb. 21 and fell short 5-4 on Tuesday, Feb. 23. Josh Norris scored the game-winner for Ottawa in a shootout. Shea Weber finished with two goals for Montreal, while Jonathan Drouin and Tyler Toffoli each added a goal as well.
Montreal’s Brendan Gallagher scored with 2.1 seconds left in regulation, but it was ultimately waved off due to goaltender interference. Canadiens goalkeeper Carey Price finished with 35 saves in the loss.
Montreal and Winnipeg have yet to play each other this season, and they will see each other nine times the rest of the regular season.
Injury Report
Winnipeg defenseman Tucker Poolman is doubtful to play in Thursday night’s game due to an upper body injury suffered in the Jets’ previous game. Montreal will enter without anybody listed on the injury report.
Montreal Canadiens vs. Winnipeg Jets Betting Odds
Below is a look at the betting odds for Thursday night’s matchup along with some of the recent betting trends for both teams. All odds are via a popular United States sportsbook.
Puck Line
According to oddsmakers, the puck line is set at -1.5 for Montreal at +195 odds, and Winnipeg has -240 odds to cover the +1.5 goals.
Betting Trends: Through 18 games, Montreal has won seven games by more than 1.5 goals but has not done that in any of its last eight games. Winnipeg has lost just two games by more than 1.5 goals this season through 18 games.
Total Goals
The over/under goals is set at six with -103 odds to the over and -120 for the under.
Betting Trends: The total has gone under in six of Winnipeg’s last nine games, and the under cashed in six of Montreal’s last eight.
Moneyline
The Canadiens come into Thursday’s game as a slight favorite despite the three-game losing streak at -129 odds on the moneyline, and Winnipeg is at +110 to get the win at home.
Betting Trends: Montreal is 1-5 straight up in its last six games, while the Jets have won six of their last nine games.
What’s Next?
The two teams will meet again to close out this series in Winnipeg on Saturday, Feb. 27 at 10 p.m. ET. Following Saturday night’s game, the Canadiens will return home for a game against the Senators on Tuesday, March 2. The Jets will remain at home following this series with another pair of home matchups against the Canucks starting on Monday, March 1.
