The Montreal Canadiens, currently holding a record of 45-21-10, will host the New Jersey Devils at the Bell Centre in an NHL Regular Season game. The Canadiens, led by head coach Martin St. Louis, are ranked 3rd in the Eastern Conference and 2nd in the Atlantic Division. They recently secured a victory over the Devils, winning 4-3 in a game where Cole Caufield stood out with two assists.
New Jersey comes into this contest with a record of 39-35-3 under head coach Sheldon Keefe. The Devils are positioned 13th in the Eastern Conference and 7th in the Metropolitan Division. Despite their recent loss to the Canadiens, Jack Hughes continues to be a key player for New Jersey, contributing a goal and an assist in their previous meeting.
The Canadiens are favored to win with a MoneyLine of -159, while the Devils stand as the underdog with a MoneyLine of +134. The odds indicate a competitive contest with an over/under set at 6.5 goals. This game is set to air on ESPN+ at 7:00 PM on April 5, 2026.
Canadiens vs Devils At a Glance
- Game Location: Bell Centre, Montreal
- Date & Time: Sunday, April 5, 2026 at 7:00 PM
- Television Coverage: ESPN+
- Current Odds: Montreal Canadiens are favored with a MoneyLine of -159
- New Jersey Devils Record: 39-35-3, Eastern Metropolitan Division
- Montreal Canadiens Record: 45-21-10, Eastern Atlantic Division
Canadiens Gear Up for Another Battle on the Ice
Offensive Strength
The Canadiens have displayed strong offensive capabilities throughout the 2026 season, ranking 4th in both goals (267) and assists (456). Their ability to create scoring opportunities is bolstered by consistent shot production, ranking 23rd with 2012 shots on goal. This offensive firepower has been crucial in their recent winning streak.
Power play efficiency has also been a highlight, with the team netting 53 power play goals, placing them 7th in the league. This aspect of their game could prove pivotal against the Devils, especially in close contests where special teams make the difference.
Defensive Backbone
Defensively, the Canadiens have been robust, leading the league with 1262 blocks. This commitment to defensive play has allowed them to mitigate offensive threats effectively. Additionally, they have shown physicality, ranking 9th with 1652 hits, which can disrupt opponents’ rhythm.
Although their defensive prowess is evident, the Canadiens have room for improvement in giveaways, ranking 1st with 1018. Reducing turnovers will be key to maintaining control and minimizing scoring chances for the opposition.
Goaltending Performance
In net, the Canadiens have relied on solid goaltending, conceding 223 goals, placing them 15th in the league. With 1886 saves recorded, their goaltenders have been reliable, though shutouts have eluded them this season. Maintaining consistency in net will be vital for continued success.
Jakub Dobes, the rookie goaltender, has shown promising form with a .921 save percentage in recent games. His performance against the Devils will be crucial as he looks to build on his recent success.
Key Players to Watch
Cole Caufield remains a key offensive threat with 49 goals and 36 assists in 75 games. His ability to find the back of the net and set up plays makes him a focal point of the Canadiens’ attack. As he approaches the 50-goal mark, his contributions will be closely watched.
Nick Suzuki has been a consistent performer, tallying 95 points across the season. His playmaking ability and leadership on the ice are invaluable assets for the Canadiens as they face off against challenging opponents.
Betting Trends
- SU Last 3: 3-0 (100.0%)
- SU Last 5: 5-0 (100.0%)
- SU All Games: 32-21 (60.4%)
- Puckline Last 3: 2-1 (66.7%)
- Puckline All Games: 30-23 (56.6%)
- O/U All Games: 28-25 (52.8%)
Devils Look to Bounce Back Against Formidable Opponent
Team Overview
The away team enters this game with a respectable ranking in shots on goal, placing 4th in the league with 2277 shots. Their offensive capabilities are complemented by their power play, where they’ve netted 44 goals, holding the 13th spot. However, the team’s defensive effort might be a concern, as they rank 13th in goals against with 220 allowed this season.
Defensively, they’ve recorded 1064 blocks, positioning them at 20th in the league. Despite the defensive setbacks, their resilience in takeaways is notable, ranking 10th with 2066 takeaways this season. This tenacity will be crucial as they look to contain the Devils’ skilled forwards.
Key Players to Watch
One standout player is the team’s leading goal-scorer, who has been crucial in their offense with 211 goals this season, ranking them 24th. The offensive burden has been shared, with 360 assists placing them at 26th in assists. These contributions highlight a balanced offensive strategy that could pose challenges for the Devils’ defense.
With 1432 hits recorded, ranked 26th, the physical presence of this team is evident. Their ability to disrupt the opposition’s rhythm through physical play could be a decisive factor in the upcoming contest. Additionally, their faceoffs won, ranked 13th with 2153, underscores their capability in controlling the puck.
Goaltending Performance
The goaltending has been a mixed bag for the away team, with 1862 saves made, though they have yet to record a shutout this season. Their goaltending rank of 13th in goals against suggests a level of inconsistency that might be exploited by the Devils. This aspect of their game will be under scrutiny as they aim to secure a win.
Betting Trends
- SU Last 3: 2-1 (66.7%)
- SU Last 5: 3-2 (60.0%)
- SU Last 10: 6-4 (60.0%)
- SU All Games: 27-34 (44.3%)
- SU as Favorite: 14-17 (45.2%)
- SU as Underdog: 13-17 (43.3%)
The away team’s recent form shows a positive trend, with a 66.7% success rate in their last three games. However, their overall season performance indicates room for improvement, with a 44.3% win rate. These stats suggest potential vulnerabilities that the Devils might exploit in their quest for a victory.
Canadiens vs Devils Prediction: Over 6.5
The Montreal Canadiens have shown a strong offensive output throughout the season, ranking fourth in the league for goals scored. Their recent performance against the New Jersey Devils, where they scored four goals, highlights their ability to find the back of the net. Meanwhile, the Devils have struggled defensively, allowing an average of three goals per game over their last ten matchups.
Both teams have seen their games trending towards the over, with the head-to-head record between these two sides also indicating a tendency for high-scoring encounters. The Canadiens’ last game against the Devils ended 4-3 in a shootout, suggesting another potentially high-scoring affair. Additionally, the Devils’ ranking of 13th in goals against further supports an expectation of a high-scoring game.
Given Montreal’s potent attack and New Jersey’s defensive vulnerabilities, the over 6.5 seems a promising play. The Canadiens have consistently been on the offensive, and with the Devils not shy of scoring either, this game could easily surpass the total. The odds for the over being slightly lower than the under indicates a higher probability of this outcome.
Expect a fast-paced game with plenty of goal-scoring opportunities, as the Canadiens look to extend their winning streak while the Devils attempt to bounce back. A projected final score of Montreal 5 – New Jersey 3 aligns with these insights, comfortably hitting the over.
- Canadiens vs Devils Prediction: Over 6.5
- Canadiens vs Devils Score: Canadiens 5 – Devils 3
