Welcome to back to another edition of NHL Predictions. Each day our writers here at Last Word on Hockey take a look at the games, breaking down the key matchups and providing relevant analysis to how they might play out. Today we feature the Montreal Canadiens as they visit the Garden State to take on the New Jersey Devils. Don’t forget to check out all the action, as our writers continue our NHL predictions throughout the 2024-25 season.
NHL Predictions
Montreal Canadiens (4-7-2) at New Jersey Devils (8-5-2), from Prudential Center
Time: 7:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: RDS, TSN2, ESPN+
Regular Season Series this is the first of three meetings between the clubs in 2024-25
Montreal is Trying to Find their Identity for Coach St. Louis
Montreal remains a team in flux, as they are trying their best to transition from rebuilders to whatever’s next, contention? At 4-7-2, it is tough to know what to expect from this season. One thing is for sure, if their fanbase aren’t convinced by the progress throughout the year, they might go after their beloved head coach Martin St. Louis. Seems harsh, but developing young talent can only go so far in keeping everybody happy.
Speaking of his work in developing the Canadiens players, Cole Caufield is a great showcase. Caufield, through 13 games thus far, is tied for the Rocket Richard Trophy race with ten. Caufield and his regular linemate, Nick Suzuki, are both off and running for 2024-25. Suzuki is currently as a point-per-game pace with 13 points in 13 games. However, with the injuries to the forward group, their secondary scoring is absent, causing them to be 23rd in the NHL at 2.69 goals for per game.
That wouldn’t be so bad if their defence was good, but it is not. Unfortunately, it’s worse, 31st to be exact, surrendering 4.00 goals against per game. Their starter, Sam Montembeault, who is expected to draw in against the Devils, hasn’t been horrible, but a couple tough starts have skewed his statistics. As always, we remind our readers to check for the very latest lineup updates before locking in your fantasy starters for any given day.
The Devils Look Like they’re Back to Ways of Playoff Contention
In some ways, the Devils aren’t necessarily flashy. However, on paper they appear to be a team geared for a deep playoff run. And at this point of the season, you kind of do have to go with what’s on paper.
Nico Hischier has something in common with Caufield, besides sharing the number 13, they also have a share of the goalscoring lead in the NHL. Also, Hischier has six points in the past five games, so he is staying hot. Another player having a good start, is a man looking for some redemption after injury kept him out of most of 2024-25. That player is defenceman Dougie Hamilton. He has also been hot lately, with four assists in his past five games. Hamilton having a big start to the season is big for the Devils, and also personally. We have touched on with other players such as Nick Suzuki or Morgan Rielly as well. But, having a big start to 2024-25 will do wonders in hearing their name called when Team Canada names its 23-man roster at the end of the month.
One more note for the Devils, is in net. Jake Allen is coming off an impressive 31-save shutout against the Connor McDavid-less Edmonton Oilers. Therefore, look for their number one guy, Jacob Markstrom to get the call. The Devils goaltending again isn’t spectacular, but it is more than acceptable. Allen’s shutout was already the third by the team on this young season. As a team, they ranked seventh in the NHL at 2.80 GA/G. Specifically for Markstrom, he is 5-4-1, with a 2.62 goals-against average and a .907 save percentage.
NHL Predictions: Devils and Canadiens
We expect New Jersey to outclass Montreal in this one. The Devils have high-end skill, and more depth than does Montreal. Look for them to prove they are where they are in the standings for a reason.
Prediction: New Jersey win in regulation, 5-3.
According to Fanduel, if we want to look at adding some friendly wagers on the outcomes, check these out. If we want to think the goal scorers to heat up the race, take both Hischier (+140) and Caufield (+200) as anytime scorers. We also like to take Dawson Mercer (+250), in this battle with fellow Newfoundlander Alex Newhook (+500). Having the four of them on a parlay is over +15,500.
