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Blue Jackets vs. Canadiens prediction: Why Montreal is favored to win Thursday's NHL matchup [3/26/2026]
Updated: | First published:
Written by Nick Slade, Chief Content Officer
Get Columbus Blue Jackets vs Montreal Canadiens predictions for NHL Thursday.
The Montreal Canadiens will take on the Columbus Blue Jackets, in what is expected to be a tight NHL game, at Bell Centre on Thursday, commencing at 7:00 PM ET.
Based on the latest simulations, Dimers' advanced NHL model gives the Canadiens a slight edge with a 53% win probability over the Blue Jackets.
This article offers an expanded analysis of Thursday's Blue Jackets vs. Canadiens matchup, including projected goal scorers, best bets and player prop picks.
Blue Jackets vs. Habs prediction: Who will win?
Using innovative machine learning and statistical analysis, we have simulated the result of Thursday's NHL matchup between the Blue Jackets and Canadiens, forming part of our NHL predictions coverage.
Our famous predictive model currently gives the Canadiens a 53% chance of beating the Blue Jackets.
According to our model, the over/under total of 6.5 goals also has an equal 50-50 chance of hitting.
Blue Jackets vs. Canadiens odds
We have researched the best NHL odds in America for this game, which are listed here:
| Bet Type | Blue Jackets | Canadiens |
|---|---|---|
| Moneyline | -102 | -118 |
| Total | o6.5 (-102) | u6.5 (-110) |
All odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.
Blue Jackets vs. Canadiens picks and best bet
After matching our predictions against the best current odds, we can reveal our picks for each of the major markets. Plus, find our best bet for the game below:
| Bet Type | Pick | Bet Now |
|---|---|---|
| Moneyline | Canadiens | -118 |
| Total | Over 6.5 | -102 |
According to our NHL best bets, the top play to make on this game is Over 6.5 total goals.
These picks are based on our probabilities matched against the implied probabilities from the sportsbook odds.
Blue Jackets vs. Canadiens player props
Who will score a goal in Blue Jackets vs. Canadiens?
According to our model, Cole Caufield is most likely to score an anytime goal in Blue Jackets vs. Canadiens.
Our projections give Caufield a 43.3% chance of scoring a goal at Bell Centre, while the star is an 8.8% chance of netting the first goal the game.
Anytime goal scorer predictions
Columbus Blue Jackets
| Player | Anytime Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Adam Fantilli | 32.4% |
| Kirill Marchenko | 32.1% |
| Mason Marchment | 26.4% |
| Mathieu Olivier | 24.2% |
| Charlie Coyle | 22.1% |
Montreal Canadiens
| Player | Anytime Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Cole Caufield | 43.3% |
| Nick Suzuki | 32.5% |
| Juraj Slafkovsky | 27.1% |
| Ivan Demidov | 27.0% |
| Alex Newhook | 23.8% |
First goal scorer predictions
Columbus Blue Jackets
| Player | First Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Kirill Marchenko | 6.5% |
| Adam Fantilli | 5.8% |
| Mason Marchment | 5.1% |
| Mathieu Olivier | 4.4% |
| Charlie Coyle | 3.9% |
Montreal Canadiens
| Player | First Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Cole Caufield | 8.8% |
| Nick Suzuki | 5.6% |
| Juraj Slafkovsky | 4.9% |
| Ivan Demidov | 4.6% |
| Oliver Kapanen | 4.1% |
Blue Jackets vs. Habs game-day updates and essential details
Thursday's game between the Canadiens and Blue Jackets at Bell Centre is scheduled to begin at 7:00 PM ET.
- Who: Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Montreal Canadiens
- Date: Thursday, March 26, 2026
- Time: 7:00 PM ET/4:00PM PT
- Venue: Bell Centre
Conclusion
We predict the Canadiens, with a 53% win probability, will likely beat the Blue Jackets on Thursday.
AI and automation have enhanced this article to quickly deliver accurate Blue Jackets vs. Canadiens insights, with human oversight ensuring high editorial quality. Our predictions are based on the latest data to help you make informed decisions. For additional resources and advice, head to our responsible gambling hub.
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Nick Slade, with nearly two decades of experience, is the Chief Content Officer at Cipher Sports Technology Group, overseeing content for Dimers. He specializes in soccer, NBA, and NHL betting, leveraging predictive analytics and machine learning to provide accurate betting insights.
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