Jan. 29, 2026, 1:08 p.m. ET
The Colorado Avalanche (35-7-9) visit the Montreal Canadiens (29-17-7) Thursday. Puck drop from Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, is set for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NHL odds around the Avalanche vs. Canadiens odds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
Season series: Avs lead 1-0 after 7-2 home win as -255 favorites Nov. 29.
The Avs have stalled with losses in 5 of 7. The latest was a 5-2 loss at the Ottawa Senators Wednesday as -152 favorites. RW Valeri Nichushkin scores his 12th of the season in a game that was closer than the final tally. The Sens put 2 empty-net goals on the board to put it out of reach. C Nathan MacKinnon was held off the scoresheet and may be showing signs of fatigue in the condensed schedule before the Olympic break. He has just 4 SOG in the last 3 games combined.
The Habs prevailed 3-2 over the Vegas Golden Knights in overtime Tuesday. RW Cole Caufield remained hot with his 30th goal, cashing a +145 anytime goal for us in the process. Caufield has goals in 6 straight and 9 total during the stretch. The Canadiens are 5-4-1 in the last 10.
Watch the NHL on Fubo!Avalanche at Canadiens odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:035 p.m. ET.
Moneyline (ML): Avalanche -125 (bet $125 to win $100) | Canadiens +105 (bet $100 to win $105)Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Avalanche -1.5 (+190) | Canadiens +1.5 (-235)Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -125 | U: +105)Avalanche at Canadiens projected goalies
Scott Wedgewood (20-3-5, 2.14 GAA, .918 SV%, 2 SO) vs. Jakub Dobes (16-5-3, 2.96 GAA, .890 SV%)
Wedge suffered a 2-1 shootout loss Wednesday to the Anaheim Ducks. He stopped 15 of 16 fired his way. He has been great this month with a 2.17 GAA and .914 SV%. He hasn’t faced the Habs in the last 2 seasons.
Dobes was between the pipes in the 3-2 OT win Tuesday against Vegas. He stopped 32 of 34 shots he faced. Dobes is 4-0-0 with a 3.20 GAA and .873 SV% this month. Colorado victimized him 7 times on 36 shots in the earlier meeting this season.
Avalanche at Canadiens picks and predictionsPrediction
Canadiens 4, Avalanche 3
The Avs are on a back-to-back on the road, and as mentioned, No. 29 isn’t shooting the puck. Could they win this game? Sure, but I’d rather take the youthful home side at plus-money. Tired legs means time in the box. Colorado killed all 3 power plays against Ottawa 24 hours ago, but Montreal is eighth in the league with a 23.2% conversion rate. Colorado is also potentially without top-line D Devon Toews (upper body).
Give me CANADIENS (+105).
There’s no play here. Instead, give me NATHAN MACKINNON UNDER 3.5 SHOTS (+125). As mentioned, he has 4 SOG in the last 3 games combined.
Both teams are 6-4 O/U in their last 10. The earlier meeting this season was a 7-2 waxing, and Montreal will remember that. Colorado has scored 2+ goals in 9 of 10. Go OVER 6.5 (-125).
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