The red-hot Colorado Avalanche bring their explosive offense to Montreal's Bell Centre on Saturday night, where Nathan MacKinnon and Martin Necas's combined 124-point campaign will test the Canadiens' struggling defensive unit.
While the Habs have managed to cling to their playoff hopes behind Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield's impressive 132-point collective effort, their recent defensive woes - allowing seven goals in their last two outings - could prove costly against an Avalanche squad that's netted 14 goals in their previous four games.
The Bell Centre crowd could witness an offensive spectacle as the high-scoring Avalanche (3.33 goals per game) clash with the home team Canadiens, who've shown they can light the lamp with 12 goals in their last three matches.
Montreal Canadiens vs. Colorado Avalanche prediction: who will win?
For tonight's Montreal Canadiens vs Colorado Avalanche matchup, our predictive model gives the Avs a 60% chance of defeating the Habs.
Colorado Avalanche: 60% win probability
- Potent offense (234 goals scored, 4th in Western Conference)
- Strong position in standings (4th place with 87 points in 70 games)
- Positive momentum (3 wins in last 5 games - WLWWL)
Montreal Canadiens: 40% win probability
- Poor goal differential (-17 goals on the season)
- Inconsistent defense (223 goals against, 8th worst in Eastern Conference)
- Lower points total (74 points in 68 games, 8th in Eastern Conference)
At Sporting Post, our unique prediction model combines insights from top NHL experts. Instead of sifting through hundreds of expert analyses across the web, you can rely on our predictions to understand the market's overall sentiment. We scan trusted sources, analyzing predictions, data, and opinions, and our AI assigns a confidence level to each prediction. We then average these levels to produce an 'expert opinion' win probability—reflecting the collective intelligence of the industry's leading NHL experts.
Montreal Canadiens vs. Colorado Avalanche odds
Here are the latest odds for the NHL matchup between the visiting Colorado Avalanche and home team Montreal Canadiens, set to face off on Saturday, March 22.
| Montreal Canadiens | Colorado Avalanche | |
|---|---|---|
| Moneyline | +158 (via Caesars Sportsbook) | -182 (via FanDuel Sportsbook) |
Montreal Canadiens vs. Colorado Avalanche preview
The Bell Centre is set for a Saturday night showdown as the red-hot Avalanche roll into Montreal looking to build on their impressive eight wins in their last ten outings.
Nathan MacKinnon and Martin Necas have been lighting it up for Colorado, combining for a whopping 124 points this season, while the Habs' dynamic duo of Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield have kept Montreal in the playoff hunt with 132 points between them.
The Avs' blue line has been nothing short of spectacular, with Cale Makar and Devon Toews not just shutting down opponents but contributing 114 points to the offensive cause - talk about a two-way threat.
Montreal's rookie sensation Lane Hutson has been a bright spot on the backend, teaming up with Mike Matheson to keep the Canadiens' power play clicking at an impressive 21.94% success rate.
While Colorado's MacKenzie Blackwood has been standing on his head with a .919 save percentage, Montreal's Samuel Montembeault has had his struggles between the pipes, which could be the difference-maker in this one.
The Avalanche's league-leading offense (3.33 goals per game) will be put to the test against a Canadiens squad that's shown they can hang with the big boys, especially on home ice.
With both teams fighting for playoff positioning, expect this Original Six matchup to deliver plenty of end-to-end action and highlight-reel plays.
Keep an eye on former Hab Jonathan Drouin, who's found new life in Colorado and might have something special planned for his return to Montreal.
Key stats
- 1Colorado sits 4th in Western Conference with 87 points while Montreal holds 8th spot in Eastern with 74 points - a 13-point gap favoring Colorado
- 2Avalanche boast superior goal-scoring with 234 goals for vs Canadiens' 206, showing stronger offensive capabilities
- 3Montreal's recent form (LWWLW) matches Colorado's pattern (WLWWL), both teams winning 3 of last 5 games
- 4Avalanche maintain a positive goal difference (+34) compared to Montreal's negative differential (-17), suggesting better overall team balance
Montreal Canadiens vs. Colorado Avalanche form
Montreal Canadiens vs. Colorado Avalanche head to head
Montreal Canadiens
50%
Colorado Avalanche
50%
Jan 5, 2025
Colorado Avalanche
1 : 2
Montreal Canadiens
Mar 27, 2024
Colorado Avalanche
1 : 2
Montreal Canadiens
Jan 16, 2024
Montreal Canadiens
4 : 3
Colorado Avalanche
Mar 13, 2023
Montreal Canadiens
4 : 8
Colorado Avalanche
Dec 22, 2022
Colorado Avalanche
2 : 1
Montreal Canadiens
Jan 23, 2022
Colorado Avalanche
3 : 2
Montreal Canadiens
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