The Montreal Canadiens (0-1-0) and Detroit Red Wings (0-0-0) meet in the NHL tonight. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. ET at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Mich., broadcasting live on ESPN+. Montreal is coming off a loss last night to open its season, while it's the first game for the Red Wings.
The Red Wings are favored by -1.5 on the puck line, with the over/under set at 6 (-120o / +100u). The Red Wings are a -135 favorite to win outright, while the Canadiens are +115 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Canadiens vs. Red Wings prediction, NHL pick and odds.
Canadiens vs. Red Wings Odds, Pick
| Canadiens Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -220 | 6 -120o / 100u | +115 |
| Red Wings Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +180 | 6 -120o / 100u | -135 |
- Canadiens vs. Red Wings Spread: Red Wings -1.5 (+180), Canadiens +1.5 (-220)
- Canadiens vs. Red Wings Over/Under: 6 (-120o / +100u)
- Canadiens vs. Red Wings Moneyline: Canadiens +115, Red Wings -135
Canadiens vs. Red Wings Preview
The Canadiens are hoping for a quick turnaround after falling 5-2 at the hands of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Montreal lost in the first round of the playoffs last season to the Capitals and are expecting a big boost by adding defenseman Noah Dobson to a lucrative contract, as well as depth forward Zack Bolduc.
Not only that, it opened the season with rookie Oliver Kapanen, who has already made himself comfortable in the league by scoring his first NHL goal last night.
There’s a lot of hope for the Habs. However, you have to wonder if the contract negotiations with defenseman Lane Hutson are going to be a distraction for the team.
Montreal just gave Dobson eight years for $9.5 million per year, and as we’ve seen throughout the league, contract extensions are getting rather hefty in the NHL. Based on Elliotte Friedman’s report, the negotiations have been testy.
Since Sam Montembeault started last night against Toronto, expect Jakub Dobes to get the call tonight.
Dobes won over Habs fans after his first career start, shutting out the Florida Panthers, and then proceeded to win the next four games.
You wonder about a sophomore slump, after having such a nice season with a .909 SV% and a 9.0 GSAx, but in due time, I suppose.
For Detroit, who really knows what’s going on?
For a team that has done such a fantastic job drafting, it’s hard to have such a sorry outlook.
Maybe that’s just me, but I don’t see the light at the end of the tunnel for the Wings. I originally bought into Steve Yzerman’s ‘Yzer-plan’ and now it’s hard to even consider when a return to the playoffs will be.
I love the young talent, and I think Lucas Raymond is a total beauty. I also see a solid bounce-back ahead for Mo Seider, but Detroit is taking a calculated risk putting its faith in top draft pick Axel Sandin-Pellikka.
I did like what the Wings did in net by trading for John Gibson, but you have to wonder if this will be a lateral move for Gibson or not.
He was frustrated for many years with the Anaheim Ducks because they were rebuilding. And now he’s moved to a situation where… It's exactly the same.
There’s never a doubt that he’ll give his all, and when he has a competent defense in front of him, he’s one of the better goalies in the league. Still, the jury’s out on Detroit’s d-corps for now.
Canadiens vs. Red Wings Prediction
I’m rocking with the Habs on this one.
I’m just so bearish on the Red Wings that it’s hard for me to back them, even after Montreal played last night.
We saw that the opening night back-to-back method doesn’t have to hamper a team, as the Los Angeles Kings were successful on the backend of it to start their season.
For me, the Habs are just the better team, with the brighter outlook. I don’t really care that they played last night. Fresh legs are fresh legs, and they’re a young team that can easily turn around quickly.
I don’t know what to expect from Detroit. I’ve bought stock in that team for the past two seasons and have ultimately been disappointed.
At plus-money, let’s roll with Montreal here.
Pick: Montreal Canadiens Moneyline
