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Game Preview: Montréal Canadiens @ Colorado Avalanche
Colorado returns to Ball Arena on November 29, 2025, looking to extend its 15-game point streak after Friday’s shootout loss ended its 10-game winning run. The Avalanche, found on the Colorado Avalanche team page, remain one of the league’s most complete teams with a 17-2-6 record and an undefeated mark in regulation on home ice. Montreal, appearing on the Montreal Canadiens team page, enters on a back-to-back of its own after securing a 3-1 win over Vegas that extended its winning streak to three.
From Puck Drop to Final Buzzer
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This matchup brings contrasting strengths: Montreal’s improved defensive detail and shot-blocking commitment versus Colorado’s league-best scoring output and elite playmaking from Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar. With both clubs playing for the second straight day, goaltending depth, travel fatigue, and lineup management become critical factors.
Odds and Key Information
Colorado opened -249 at home with Montreal +204 on the moneyline. The puckline lists Montreal +1.5 at modest juice and Colorado -1.5 at plus money. The total is set at 6.5, with early interest landing on the under due to both teams playing back-to-back and Colorado’s recent trend toward lower totals at Ball Arena.
The Avalanche are 9-0-2 at home this season, averaging strong expected-goal margins in all situations. Montreal coach Martin St. Louis praised his group’s improved structure, noting that the club has stabilized after a 1-4-3 skid. Colorado coach Jared Bednar emphasized the importance of immediately refocusing, acknowledging Friday’s performance as a strong road effort beyond the shootout loss.
Montreal Canadiens Outlook
Montreal enters at 13-7-3 and has rediscovered rhythm, winning three straight while tightening defensive-zone coverages. Friday’s 3-1 win over Vegas featured a 30-save performance from Sam Montembeault and balanced scoring from Cole Caufield, Zachary Bolduc, and Juraj Slafkovsky. The return of Mike Matheson following his five-year extension adds stability to the blue line; he contributed an assist in his first game back.
Nick Suzuki continues to elevate Montreal’s transition play, leading the team with 27 points (seven goals, 20 assists). His vision in the offensive zone has been vital, especially as Montreal has found scoring balance with six players at 15-plus points. Cole Caufield’s 14 goals anchor the attack, with his shot volume creating persistent pressure on opposing defenses.
Montreal’s path to covering or winning requires maximizing its shot-blocking strength—386 blocks, seventh in the league—and pressuring Colorado’s breakout timing. Their injury list, however, remains impactful. Missing Kirby Dach, Kaiden Guhle, Patrik Laine, and Alex Newhook limits depth versatility. Full updates are available at the Canadiens injury report.
Colorado Avalanche Outlook
Colorado’s point streak remains intact at 15 games (12-0-3), and its home form has been dominant. Despite the shootout loss in Minnesota, the Avalanche continued to generate strong scoring chances and relied on late-game heroics from Gabriel Landeskog to force extra time. MacKinnon’s assist on the tying goal added to his league-leading totals: 19 goals and 41 points. Cale Makar remains central to the power-play quarterbacking role with 31 points from the blue line.
Mackenzie Blackwood is expected to start after Scott Wedgewood handled Friday’s game. Blackwood has been exceptional since debuting November 1, with two shutouts and 61 consecutive saves across those performances. Colorado’s defensive structure has reduced opponent high-danger chances significantly over the past two weeks.
Offensively, Colorado continues to lead the league with 96 goals and 162 assists. Even with injuries to Valeri Nichushkin, Gavin Brindley, Logan O’Connor, and Jacob MacDonald, the Avalanche have maintained balance through depth contributions and elite puck movement. Updated lineup detail can be followed at the Avalanche injury report.
Key Matchup Table
| Key Factor | Advantage |
|---|---|
| Offensive Depth | Colorado Avalanche |
| Blue-Line Playmaking | Colorado Avalanche |
| Shot Blocking | Montreal Canadiens |
| Transition Efficiency | Colorado Avalanche |
| Goaltending Consistency | Colorado Avalanche |
Betting Trends
Montreal has gone 3-0 in its last three games, performing efficiently as an underdog with a 71.4 percent puckline win rate in that role. Their recent games have skewed toward overs, hitting 8 of their last 10.
Colorado remains perfect in its last 10 outright, with strong puckline results and league-leading under trends—hitting unders in over 75 percent of games—largely due to defensive stability and calculated pace control at home.
For broader NHL line tracking and alternative betting opportunities, bettors can explore the NHL odds board.
The Lean
The Avalanche’s home edge, goaltending form, and elite scoring metrics make them the rightful favorite. Montreal’s recent improvements merit respect, but Colorado’s consistency at Ball Arena and ability to control game flow make them difficult to oppose.
Projected score: Colorado 4, Montreal 2. The preferred play is Colorado -249 moneyline. The total at 6.5 leans under, supported by both teams playing back-to-back and Colorado’s strong defensive trends.
For additional analysis across NHL matchups, visit the NHL previews page.
Why You Need Expert Picks
Back-to-back scheduling, travel fatigue, and goaltender rotation make games like this particularly sensitive to nuanced modeling. Bettors often rely on expert projections to interpret matchup-specific variables such as line-matching, power-play regression, and defensive-zone attrition. The Handicappers Leaderboard at the expert picks hub highlights top performers with long-term ROI in hockey markets.
Understanding tempo and scoring distribution is essential for totals betting, and curated expert analysis offers clarity in tight-line scenarios. For cross-league strategy refinement, the expert betting guide provides frameworks that aid in evaluating market inefficiencies.
Projected Final Score: Colorado Avalanche 4, Montreal Canadiens 2
Best Spread Pick: Colorado ML
Total Lean: Under 6.5
