Advertisement

Habs Continue to Ride Hot Hand with Montembeault in Low-Scoring Affair versus Blue Jackets

Monday offers the last slate of NHL action before the holidays and we can expect a thrilling night of hockey that should keep us satisfied until Friday when they return to action. The Maple Leafs take on the high-flying Jets in an epic matchup between two elite Canadian teams while the Bolts and Panthers play their second leg of a home-and-home in the Battle of Florida.

It'll be a great slate that we can look to profit from and build off several of our impressive records like our 32-24 record on game total and team unders this season.

All betting lines are from Bet365 and are subject to change. Hockey is a difficult sport to predict so please gamble responsibly.

Click here to check out Best Bets from other Monday games

Bet: Habs Blue Jackets Under 6.5 goals (-115), Sam Montembeault 25+ saves (-165)

The Habs are finally starting to piece things together with three straight wins but will need to overcome a 4-9-1 road record when taking on a Blue Jackets team that is 9-4-3 in their home barn. Columbus has been a lethal betting team this season with an 11-5 record against the spread at home this season.

They will need to overcome a history of losing with seven straight losses to the Habs, including three straight losses at home. The line for this game is surprising as they favour the Blue Jackets as 70 per cent of betters are taking Columbus on the moneyline.

This should be an easy fade of the public as the Habs should stay competitive this one and ride the momentum of their hot netminder Sam Montembeault.

The Quebec native was selected for Team Canada's roster for next year's Four Nations tournament after putting up a 2.85 goals against average despite the Habs being a below .500 team this season.

Montembeault has caught fire lately as the Habs have been rolling him out until he falls off with nine straight starts, including both starts in a back-to-back this past weekend. During his hot streak, he's maintained a 6-3-0 record with a 2.37 average.

He could be a difference maker as the Blue Jackets plan to start rookie goaltender Jet Greaves, who the Habs hot offence could take advantage of as he has a 0-1-2 record and a 3.30 average in three starts this season.

This game should be very close and most likely low-scoring with Greaves needing to match Montembeault's level if they want to keep things competitive.

Check out The Hockey News Betting Roundtable forum to get involved in the conversation and share your picks