The Colorado Avalanche (11-7-1) visit the Montreal Canadiens (6-16-2) Thursday at Bell Centre. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Avalanche vs. Canadiens odds and lines, and make our expert NHL picks, predictions and bets.
The Avalanche took the beats in Toronto, falling 8-3 to the red-hot Maple Leafs. Jonas Johansson took one for the team in the back-to-back situation, allowing all eight goals on 41 shots, as Darcy Kuemper is dealing with an upper-body injury.
The Canadiens were on the short end of a 2-1 loss to the Vancouver Canucks Monday, losing for the sixth time in regulation over the past eight outings. The Canadiens have won just five times in the past 21 games as an underdog.
Avalanche at Canadiens odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:20 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Avalanche -175 (bet $175 to win $100) | Canadiens +140 (bet $100 to win $140)
- Against the spread (ATS): Avalanche -1.5 (+140) | Canadiens +1.5 (-180)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -115 | U: -107)
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Avalanche at Canadiens projected goalies
Jonas Johansson (2-1-1, 2.92 GAA, .911 SV%) vs. Jake Allen (5-10-1, 2.96 GAA, .907 SV%, 2 SO)
Johansson was pounded by the Leafs for eight goals. University of Toronto goalie Jett Alexander was the emergency backup to start, as Justus Annunen was recalled from the Colorado Eagles after the late scratch to Kuemper.
Allen has allowed five goals on 92 shots across the past two starts, and he was a respectable 3-4-1 with a 3.00 GAA and .907 GAA with a shutout in nine appearances in November.
Avalanche at Canadiens odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Canadiens 4, Avalanche 3
Money line
The CANADIENS (+140) are worth a roll of the dice, as they catch the Avalanche (-175) between a rock and a hard place. Johansson was hammered for eight goals last night, and the depleted Avs face a tough turnaround in less than 24 hours.
The good news is the Avalanche (-175) is 6-0 in the past six when playing on no rest, but you can’t risk this much on a team that was dusted 8-3 less than 24 hours ago.
Against the spread
The CANADIENS +1.5 (-180) are worth a look if you want a little insurance, as this price isn’t terribly out of line. The Habs have had trouble scoring goals lately, so it is hard to pull the trigger and take them straight up, even in a favorable spot.
Over/Under
The OVER 6.5 (-115) is the lean, again due to the uncertain goal situation for the Avs, and the lack of rest. Allen has allowed nearly three goals per game, so we should see quite a bit of offense in this one.
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