The Montreal Canadiens play host to the New Jersey Devils in a battle between two teams who’ve really hit a rut leading up to the 4-Nations break.
My Devils vs. Canadiens predictions see star winger Cole Caufield continuing to build on a great season against a New Jersey team missing some of its best defensive personnel.
Let’s take a closer look with my NHL picks for February 8.
Canadiens vs Devils prediction
My Canadiens pick
Cole Caufield Over 2.5 shots (-135 at BET99)
My Canadiens analysis
The New Jersey Devils have been one of the best shot-suppression teams in the NHL for most of the season, but we’ve seen a dip in their metrics of late.
That understandably coincides with injuries to Nico Hischier as well as Jonas Siegenthaler. Hischier is an elite two-way forward who figures to compete with Aleksander Barkov for a Selke Trophy this season.
Although Siegenthaler doesn’t have the same name value, the Swiss blueliner has made exceptional defensive contributions. According to HockeyStatCards, he is currently leading all players with a +9.6 defensive rating.
The Devils have predictably given up more shot volume without those two stalwarts. They rank 26th in 5-on-5 shots allowed since Hischier went down five games ago. They also gave up 40 shots to the Vegas Golden Knights in the only game without both players.
The Montreal Canadiens generated 32 shots on target against New Jersey when the two sides met a couple of weeks ago. That’s a number they should flirt with once again, given the key personnel missing from New Jersey’s lineup.
Plenty of that volume figures to come off the stick of Cole Caufield, who recorded four shots on goal in the previous meeting.
Caufield has recorded at least three shots in 57% of his games this season and hasn’t gone more than two straight games — his current dry spell — without clearing that mark since the middle of November.
I expect Caufield to ramp back up against a Devils team that has conceded the sixth most shots to wingers over the past 10 games.
Canadiens vs Devils same-game parlay (SGP)
Cole Caufield Over 2.5 shots
Cole Caufield Over 0.5 points
Timo Meier Over 2.5 shots
Caufield’s hit the scoresheet in 67% of Montreal’s games this season. That hit rate soars to 77% in games he records at least three shots on goal.
Caufield is a lethal shooter, so it stands to reason that the more times he can use his shot, the better his chances of producing — be it a goal or rebounds.
Timo Meier has generated shots at a healthy clip of late, especially on the road. He has cleared 2.5 shots in eight of his last 10 road games, averaging 3.1 shots on 6.9 attempts along the way.
Opposing teams generally use their best players to try to slow down Jack Hughes, allowing Meier to capitalize on more advantageous matchups against less adept defensive players.
Meier registered five shots on 10 attempts when the two sides clashed in late January.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Canadiens vs Devils odds
Canadiens vs Devils live odds
Canadiens vs Devils opening odds
- Puck line: Montreal +1.5 (-186) | New Jersey -1.5 (+159)
- Moneyline: Montreal +141 | New Jersey -160
- Over/Under: Over 6 | Under 6
Odds courtesy of BET99
Canadiens vs Devils trend
Caufield has points in four of his last five games against New Jersey, including three over his last two home games. Find more NHL betting trends for Canadiens vs. Devils.
How to watch Canadiens vs Devils
| Location | Bell Centre, Montreal, QC |
| Date | Saturday, 2-8-2025 |
| Puck drop | 1:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | TSN2 |
Canadiens vs Devils latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
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