New Jersey Devils vs Montreal Canadiens - NHL Prediction & Betting Tips - AI Analysis & Odds (Apr 4, 2026)

New Jersey Devils

3 - 4

Montreal Canadiens

NHL·Prudential Center

Team	P1	P2	P3	OT	SO	Total
New Jersey DevilsDevils	0	2	1	0	2	3
Montreal CanadiensCanadiens	1	2	0	0	3	4

AI vs Analyst Prediction

Predicto AI

Correct

Montreal Canadiens to win

@1.82

View Reasoning

Montreal Canadiens have a significantly better record and are positioned higher in the standings. Given their current form and offensive capabilities, they are favored to win against the struggling New Jersey Devils.

Human Analyst

Correct

Montreal Canadiens -1.5

@1.30

View Reasoning

The Montreal Canadiens are in a strong position with a better overall record and form. The New Jersey Devils have struggled at home, and the Canadiens' offensive capabilities should exploit the Devils' defensive weaknesses, making a puck line bet favorable.

Both back Montreal Canadiens—different markets

Team Statistics

Devilsper gameCanadiens

39-34-2 · 80 pts44-26-5 · 98 pts

52%

Win Rate

59%

-24

Goal Diff

+29

2.5

Avg Goals For

2.7

2.8

Avg Goals Against

2.3

75 GPTotal Goals: 185 · 20575 GP

Eastern Conference

#	Team	GP	W	L	OTL	PTS	GF	GA	Form
1	Carolina Hurricanes	82	39	22	7	113	296	240	-
2	Buffalo Sabres	82	42	23	9	109	288	241	-
3	Tampa Bay Lightning	82	40	26	6	106	290	231	-
4	Montreal Canadiens	82	34	24	10	106	283	256	-
5	Boston Bruins	82	33	27	10	100	272	250	-
6	Ottawa Senators	82	38	27	11	99	278	246	-
7	Pittsburgh Penguins	82	34	25	16	98	293	268	-
8	Philadelphia Flyers	82	27	27	12	98	250	243	-
9	Washington Capitals	82	37	30	9	95	263	244	-
10	Detroit Red Wings	82	30	31	10	92	241	258	-
11	Columbus Blue Jackets	82	28	30	12	92	253	253	-
12	New York Islanders	82	29	34	5	91	233	241	-
13	New Jersey Devils	82	29	37	3	87	230	254	-
14	Florida Panthers	82	32	38	4	84	251	276	-
15	Toronto Maple Leafs	82	23	36	14	78	253	299	-
16	New York Rangers	82	25	39	9	77	238	250	-

Western Conference

#	Team	GP	W	L	OTL	PTS	GF	GA	Form
1	Colorado Avalanche	82	48	16	11	121	302	203	-
2	Dallas Stars	82	38	20	12	112	279	226	-
3	Minnesota Wild	82	31	24	12	104	272	240	-
4	Vegas Golden Knights	82	30	26	17	95	265	250	-
5	Edmonton Oilers	82	32	30	11	93	282	269	-
6	Utah Mammoth	82	33	33	6	92	268	240	-
7	Anaheim Ducks	82	26	33	6	92	273	288	-
8	Los Angeles Kings	82	22	27	20	90	225	247	-
9	San Jose Sharks	82	27	35	8	86	251	292	-
10	St. Louis Blues	82	33	33	12	86	231	258	-
11	Nashville Predators	82	28	34	10	86	247	269	-
12	Winnipeg Jets	82	28	35	12	82	231	260	-
13	Seattle Kraken	82	26	37	11	79	226	263	-
14	Calgary Flames	82	27	39	9	77	212	259	-
15	Chicago Blackhawks	82	22	39	14	72	213	275	-
16	Vancouver Canucks	82	15	49	8	58	216	316	-

Standings & Form

The New Jersey Devils sit at 20th in the NHL standings with a 38-34-2 record, accumulating 78 points across 74 games. Their recent form reflects inconsistency, posting LWLWW in their last five outings. Meanwhile, the Montreal Canadiens hold a stronger position at 6th place, boasting a 43-26-5 record and 96 points. The Canadiens arrive on a remarkable five-game winning streak, which sharply contrasts with the Devils’ up-and-down performance.

Goals For & Against

New Jersey has scored 178 goals but conceded 206, indicating defensive vulnerabilities that have cost them throughout the season. Their negative goal differential (-28) suggests that defensive lapses have undermined their efforts. Montreal, on the other hand, has a positive goal differential (+28), with 202 goals for and 174 against. This balance points to a more robust defensive structure combined with an effective offense, a blend that has helped them secure a playoff-worthy position.

Head-to-Head Record

Despite Montreal’s higher standing, New Jersey holds an 8-2 advantage over the last ten head-to-head games. However, recent clashes have favored the Canadiens, who won three of the last five meetings including a decisive 4-1 victory. This recent shift could be a sign of Montreal adapting effectively to New Jersey’s style, which may influence the outcome this weekend.

Betting Angle

Given Montreal’s current momentum and defensive resilience, the expert pick leans towards Canadiens -1.5 at 2.10 odds. Their capacity to limit opponents’ scoring chances combined with a reliable offense makes them a solid bet against New Jersey’s porous defense. The AI model agrees, favoring a straightforward Montreal win at 1.75 odds, reflecting confidence in their control over both ends of the ice.

Martin Anderson

Human analyst

Professional betting analyst with 10+ years of experience in sports data analytics and statistics. Featured on The Athletic, 433, and ESPN. Currently maintaining a 70% win rate this season across NHL, SHL, and Liiga markets. See the public track record.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What's your prediction for this game?

The prediction for the New Jersey Devils vs Montreal Canadiens strongly favors Montreal. The Canadiens sit 6th in the league with a 43-26-5 record and 96 points, while the Devils are 20th with a 38-34-2 record and 78 points. Montreal's impressive +28 goal differential compared to New Jersey's -28, along with a dominant 8-2 home record in the last 10 head-to-head matchups, supports expecting a Canadiens win. Recent form also favors Montreal, who are on a five-game winning streak, unlike the Devils' mixed recent results.

Which team has better recent form?

Analyzing form, the New Jersey Devils show a mixed recent record of LWLWW, standing at 38 wins, 34 losses, and 2 OT losses with 78 points, placing them 20th in the league. In contrast, the Montreal Canadiens boast a perfect recent run of WWWWW, totaling 43 wins, 26 losses, and 5 OT losses, with 96 points and 6th place in the standings. The Canadiens’ strong performance is reflected in their consistent winning streak and superior league positioning compared to the Devils.

What are the best betting opportunities?

For betting markets, focusing on Montreal Canadiens to win is sensible given their form and standings. Considering goal totals, Montreal averages about 2.73 goals per game (202 GF in 74 GP) while allowing 2.35 goals against, whereas New Jersey averages 2.41 goals for and concedes 2.78 goals per game. The historical head-to-head results, with several games scoring multiple goals on each side (e.g., 4-1, 5-2), suggest that markets like total goals over 5 might be attractive alongside the Montreal puck line at -1.5.

How do these teams match up historically?

The head-to-head record between New Jersey Devils and Montreal Canadiens in the last 10 games heavily favors New Jersey at home with 8 wins versus Montreal's 2 away wins. Recent scores include a mix of wins for both sides: 1-2, 4-1, 5-2, 1-3, and 2-1, showing competitive but slightly edge to the Devils at home. However, Montreal’s recent form and overall season performance may shift this balance in their favor for the upcoming game.

What are the key line matchups?

Key matchups in New Jersey Devils vs Montreal Canadiens revolve around Montreal's stronger offensive output and New Jersey's defensive challenges. The Canadiens average 2.73 goals per game while conceding 2.35, highlighting a solid defensive structure. Conversely, New Jersey struggles defensively, conceding 2.78 goals per game, which Montreal's efficient offense can exploit. Montreal’s perfect recent form contrasts with New Jersey’s inconsistency, suggesting Canadiens' offensive pressure will be a decisive factor.

Should I bet on the favorite or underdog?

Betting value lies in backing the Montreal Canadiens on the puck line at -1.5 given their superior form, goal differential, and offensive firepower. The expert pick at 2.10 odds reflects this confidence. Additionally, considering the goals for and against stats and recent high-scoring head-to-head games, wagering on total goals over 5 could provide good value. The AI pick to simply back Montreal to win at 1.75 also offers a solid, safer option.