The Columbus Blue Jackets head to the Bell Centre to take on the Montreal Canadiens in a regular season NHL game on Thursday, March 26, 2026, at 7:00 PM. The Blue Jackets come into this encounter with a record of 38-22-11, coached by Rick Bowness, and rank 6th in their conference. Their recent game against the Philadelphia Flyers ended in a narrow 3-2 victory, showcasing a strong performance by players like Mason Marchment and Zach Werenski.
Montreal, with a record of 39-21-10, currently stands 4th in their conference and is coached by Martin St. Louis. Playing at their home venue, the Bell Centre, the Canadiens look to capitalize on the momentum from their recent 5-2 win against the Carolina Hurricanes. Cole Caufield has been a key player, contributing significantly in their latest games.
In terms of betting odds, the Canadiens are the favorites with a moneyline of -124, while the Blue Jackets are considered the underdogs at +106. The puck line also favors Montreal at -1.5 (+191), and the over/under is set at 6.5 goals. Both teams have shown their offensive capabilities in recent games, setting the stage for an exciting contest.
Canadiens vs Blue Jackets At a Glance
- Game Location: Bell Centre in Montreal
- Game Time: Thursday, March 26, 2026 at 7:00 PM
- Broadcasting: Available on ESPN+
- Columbus Blue Jackets Coach: Rick Bowness
- Montreal Canadiens Coach: Martin St. Louis
- Game Odds: Canadiens favored with a MoneyLine of -124
Canadiens Set to Host the Blue Jackets in a Key Showdown
Blue Jackets Offensive Strengths
The Blue Jackets have made a significant mark this season, ranking 4th in goals with 247. Their offensive prowess is further highlighted by their 3rd rank in assists, accumulating a total of 427. This demonstrates their ability to not only find the back of the net but also create opportunities for each other.
With 50 power play goals, ranked 6th, their special teams are an area of strength. The Blue Jackets’ power play is a formidable weapon, and the Canadiens will need to be disciplined to avoid penalties.
Defensive Abilities
On the defensive end, the Blue Jackets have shown resilience, recording 1161 blocks, which ranks them 1st in the league. This highlights their commitment to protecting their net and supporting their goaltender.
Additionally, their physical play is evident with 1526 hits, placing them 10th. This physicality can wear down opponents over the course of a game, and the Canadiens will need to match this intensity.
Goaltending Performance
In goal, the Blue Jackets’ netminder has faced a significant workload with 1711 saves. Although not ranked, this number indicates a busy goaltending scenario, possibly due to a high volume of shots faced.
The goaltender’s goals-against figure stands at 214, placing them 19th. While this indicates areas for improvement, it also shows the potential for high-impact games when they are on form.
Key Players to Watch
The Blue Jackets possess a balanced attack and defense, with players who can shift the momentum of a game. Their ability to win 1972 faceoffs, ranked 17th, highlights their strength in gaining possession and controlling play.
Furthermore, they are ranked 1st in giveaways with 943, indicating a level of precision and control in their play. The Canadiens will need to capitalize on any mistakes to turn the tide in their favor.
Betting Trends
- Recent Form: 2-1 in the last 3 games.
- Overall Record: 27-21 for the season.
- As Favorites: 12-14 this season.
- As Underdogs: 15-7 for the season.
Columbus Blue Jackets: Ready to Face the Canadiens on the Road
Offensive Performance
The Blue Jackets have managed to score 225 goals this season, positioning them at 11th in the league. Their ability to set up plays is evident with 383 assists, ranking 14th overall.
With 2115 shots on goal, they hold the 5th spot, indicating a highly active offensive strategy. However, their power play goals stand at 35, placing them at 15th, suggesting room for improvement in capitalizing on power play opportunities.
Defensive Strength
On the defensive front, the Blue Jackets have recorded 1377 hits, ranking 22nd, and 1044 blocks, putting them at 17th. Their physical game is further reflected with 2064 faceoffs won, ranking 9th.
The team’s defense shows consistency with 1077 giveaways and 357 takeaways, ranking 18th and 23rd, respectively, showcasing their ability to maintain control and disrupt opposing plays.
Goaltending Overview
The Blue Jackets’ goaltenders have conceded 204 goals, placing them 12th in terms of goals against. They have made a notable 1848 saves this season, a testament to their resilience in the net.
However, the absence of shutouts this season highlights a potential area for improvement as they aim to strengthen their goaltending further.
Recent Performance Highlights
In recent games, the Blue Jackets have demonstrated solid form with a notable win against the Philadelphia Flyers. Their previous five games have seen them achieve a 4-1 record, showcasing strong momentum.
This recent stretch includes a significant victory over the New York Rangers, where they scored six goals, reflecting their offensive capabilities.
Key Players to Watch
Zach Werenski has been a standout player with 21 goals and 56 assists, contributing significantly to the team’s success. Meanwhile, Kirill Marchenko’s 25 goals and 34 assists underline his importance in the offensive setup.
Adam Fantilli has also been impressive, with his physical play resulting in 114 hits and 21 goals, making him a dual threat on the ice.
Betting Trends
- SU Last 3: 2-1 (66.7%)
- SU Last 5: 4-1 (80.0%)
- SU Last 10: 8-2 (80.0%)
- Puckline Last 3: 1-2 (33.3%)
- Puckline Last 5: 3-2 (60.0%)
- O/U Last 3: 1-2 (33.3%)
- O/U Last 10: 3-7 (30.0%)
Canadiens vs Blue Jackets Prediction: Columbus Blue Jackets +106
In a tight matchup between the Montreal Canadiens and Columbus Blue Jackets, the Blue Jackets present an appealing option at +106. Columbus has a solid division rank at second in the Eastern Metropolitan, and they have a competitive overall record of 38-22-11. With a slight edge in recent head-to-head records and a better conference performance, Columbus is a promising underdog.
Montreal, while favored at home, has not been particularly dominant in their favorite role, holding a straight-up record of 12-14 when favored. Their inconsistency when expected to win makes them less reliable in this spot. Given Columbus’s recent form and solid defensive statistics, they stand a good chance of an upset.
Additionally, Columbus’s recent performances show resilience, with a division record close to parity and a conference record above .500. This demonstrates their capability to compete strongly within their conference. The Blue Jackets also have the advantage of a more potent power play, which could be decisive in a closely contested game.
With these factors in mind, the Blue Jackets are positioned to pull off a narrow victory at the Bell Centre. The projected final score sees Columbus edging Montreal in a 3-2 battle.
- Canadiens vs Blue Jackets Prediction: Columbus Blue Jackets +106
- Canadiens vs Blue Jackets Score: Blue Jackets 3 – Canadiens 2
