Columbus Blue Jackets vs Montreal Canadiens Prediction, Preview and Odds - 03/26/2026

Game Time: 7:00 pm ET, Thursday, March 26, 2026

Venue:  Centre Bell, Montréal, QC

Where to Watch:  ESPN+

DraftKings:  Moneyline:  Blue Jackets +105, Canadiens -125; Over/Under:  6.5 goals

Bet365:  Moneyline:  Blue Jackets +105, Canadiens -125; Over/Under:  6.5 goals

BetMGM:  Moneyline:  Blue Jackets +105, Canadiens -125; Over/Under:  6.5 goals

Columbus Blue Jackets:  38-22-11 (2nd place, Metropolitan Division)

Montreal Canadiens:  39-21-10 (3rd place, Atlantic Division)

Do not miss out on our expert handicapper analysis! William Burns is on a HOT STREAK in the NHL on an 18-4 NHL RUN for +$13,590 PROFIT! Make sure you check out his picks and many more from the expert handicappers featured in the Shop Picks section.

Columbus Blue Jackets:  6-1-3 last 10

Montreal Canadiens:  6-3-1 last 10

The Blue Jackets are entering this game with 87 points, a 38-22-11 record overall, and they are 18-14-4 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a win against the Philadelphia Flyers in their last game, winning that one on the road 3-2. Mason Marchment, Zach Werenski, and Mathieu Olivier each scored 1 goal for them in that one. Damon Severson led the team in assists with 2 while Mathieu Olivier led the team in shots on net in that game with 5. Jet Greaves was the starting goalie in that game and he allowed 2 goals on 26 shots with 24 saves and a .923 save percentage. Their offense has scored 231 goals this season averaging 3.3 goals per game and their defense has allowed their opponents to score 217 goals against them allowing 3.1 goals per game.

The Canadiens are entering this game with 88 points, a 39-21-10 record overall, and they are 21-13-2 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a win against the Carolina Hurricanes in their last game, winning that one at home 5-2. Cole Caufield, Ivan Demidov, Juraj Slafkovský, Jake Evans, and Oliver Kapanen each scored 1 goal for them in that one. Cole Caufield, Ivan Demidov, Juraj Slafkovský, Alexandre Carrier, Jayden Struble, Nick Suzuki, and Noah Dobson each led the team in assists with 1 while Cole Caufield, Jake Evans, Nick Suzuki, Noah Dobson, Oliver Kapanen, and Lane Hutson each led the team in shots on net in that game with 2. Jakub Dobeš was the starting goalie in that game and he allowed 2 goals on 43 shots with 41 saves and a .953 sv percentage. Their offense has scored 249 goals this season averaging 3.6 goals per game and their defense has allowed their opponents to score 230 goals against them allowing 3.3 goals per game.

The current betting odds have the Canadiens listed as a slight favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Canadiens have looked good in their games this season with their 39-21-10 record overall which has them in the top half of their division in the East. They have looked great on home ice too with their 21-13-2 home record this season. Meanwhile, the Blue Jackets have looked good in their games this season with their 38-22-11 record overall which has them right near the top of their division in the East. They haven't been a great road team though with their 18-14-4 road record this year. The Blue Jackets are off a 3-2 win over the Flyers in their last one and they have looked really good lately. They are 6-1-3 in their last 10 games and they have been climbing up the standings in the East, being out of the playoffs just a few weeks ago and now right back in a spot. They did win a tight road game against the Flyers though and they definitely haven't been at their best in road games. The Canadiens are also right in the playoff race at the moment, holding down the last spot in their division by 2 points, and they have been getting hot lately too. They are 6-3-1 in their last 10 games and have some momentum on their side with 2 wins in a row now. They are also off a 5-2 win over the Hurricanes in their last one and that was a big comeback win for them. Both of these teams have looked good lately, but the Canadiens have looked a lot better on home ice this year so the home advantage will give them the edge against a Blue Jackets team that hasn't been great in their road games. The best way to place a bet here is on the Canadiens to win this game. 

Blue Jackets Canadiens Prediction:  Our NHL Pick for Thursday, March 26, 2026 (7:00 pm ET start time) is Canadiens 3 Blue Jackets 2.

Don't miss our champion handicappers free picks and expert hockey picks today. And if you enjoyed this Columbus Blue Jackets Montreal Canadiens prediction, be sure to drop by every day for our weekly NHL predictions and previews.

Columbus Blue Jackets: 53-63 (+4.2 units) on the moneyline after playing a road game. 65-65 (+6.7 units) on the moneyline against terrible defensive teams - allowing 3+ goals/game. 71-84 (+6.8 units) on the moneyline against excellent power play teams- scoring on over 17.5% of their chances. 20-9 OVER as a road underdog of +100 to +150.

Montreal Canadiens: 52-84 (-21.8 units) on the moneyline revenging a loss versus opponent as a favorite. 21-40 (-17.3 units) on the moneyline when playing against a marginal winning team (Win Pct. 51% to 60%). 53-65 (-3.2 units) on the moneyline after playing a home game. 27-18 OVER when the money line is -100 to -150.

Columbus Blue Jackets:  B. Smith (D) Out - Knee.

Montreal Canadiens:  K. Dach (C) Out - Upper body. P. Laine (RW) Out - Lower-Body.

"We don't need any help to get in the playoffs. We have a spot, we just have to keep it. As long as we keep doing what we're supposed to do and do what we can do in hockey games, the rest will take care of itself." - Rick Bowness after his team’s win against the Flyers in their game on Tuesday. 

“Unreal. He’s been doing it all year. He competes, he battles, he just always gives us a chance and keeps us in games, obviously the breakaway save at the end there. It’s cool to see the crowd get behind a guy like that.” - Cole Caufield on Dobes after their win against the Hurricanes in their game on Tuesday.

LW Mason Marchment

C Adam Fantilli

RW Kirill Marchenko

LD Zach Werenski

RD Damon Severson

G Jet Greaves

LW Cole Caufield

C Nick Suzuki

RW Juraj Slafkovský

LD Mike Matheson

RD Noah Dobson

G Jakub Dobes

Points: Zach Werenski (77)

Goals: Kirill Marchenko (25)

Assists: Zach Werenski (56)

GAA: Jet Greaves (2.57)

Points: Nick Suzuki (86)

Goals: Cole Caufield (44)

Assists: Nick Suzuki (62)

GAA: Jacob Fowler (2.72)

Coaches:

Columbus Blue Jackets: Rick Bowness (1st season)

Montreal Canadiens: Martin St. Louis (5th season)