NHL Best Bet of the Day – Canadiens vs. Blue Jackets (2024)
Monday night in the National Hockey League features an enormous 13-game slate on the eve of the three-day holiday break. That said, there is still ample opportunity to cash in on various player props. Let’s take a deep dive and examine my NHL best bet of the day between the Montreal Canadiens (14-16-3) and Columbus Blue Jackets (13-15-6). This game begins at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.
All NHL odds and lines are current as of Monday, December 23rd, at 12:00 PM, EST, courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
NHL Best Bet of the Day – Canadiens vs. Blue Jackets
Domenic Lunardo’s 2024-25 NHL Betting Record: 11-18-0 (- 9.13 Units).
Bet Name: Patrik Laine (MTL) OVER 2.5 Shots on Goal
Sportsbook: bet365
Odds: (-145)
Wager: 1 Unit
Our best bet between Montreal and Columbus will target Canadiens sniper Patrik Laine to exceed 2.5 shots on goal, on a single-unit wager.
The total for this matchup is currently set at 6.5, meaning oddsmakers and sportsbooks are anticipating a high-scoring matchup between two Eastern Conference foes.
Winners of three-consecutive games, the Habs are playing some terrific hockey at the moment, led in large part by the brilliance of their Finnish star.
Through nine games this season, the former second-overall selection at the 2016 NHL Entry Draft has tallied a whopping eight goals, nine points, 33 shots on goal, and two game-winning markers to go along with 15:37 worth of ice time, per Pro Hockey Reference.
Laine has also posted some impressive advanced metrics/analytics. Notably, ranking first on the Habs in both Percentage of Shift Starts in the Offensive Zone (25.3%), Shot Attempts Per 60 Minutes (23.05), and Shots on Goal Per 60 Minutes (14.08). Finally, he’s is second in Goals Above Expected (4.8).
Tonight, the Habs will be up against a Jackets team that has struggled mightily in the defensive end of the rink thus far this season. Currently, they’re ranking 31st in hockey in both Goals-Against-Average (3.62) and Save Percentage (.881), and 28th in Expected Goals Against (76.92), via MoneyPuck.
In terms of lineup news, Laine is expected to feature on Montreal’s second line alongside Kirby Dach and Alex Newhook. He’ll also slot in on Montreal’s much improved top power-play unit. Impressively, they’re firing at a 22.4% efficiency rate (12th) with Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, Juraj Slafkovsky, and rookie phenomenon, Lane Hutson.
In addition, in terms of recent betting trends, Laine has surpassed this prop in six of nine games this season. Including four-consecutive contests, which translates to a terrific 66.7% success/hit rate.
Look for the red-hot Laine to register at least three shots on goal this evening. At a decent (-145) price point, this wraps up today’s NHL best bet of the day between the Canadiens and the Blue Jackets.
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