Columbus Blue Jackets at Montreal Canadiens (-135, 5.5)
In order for the Montreal Canadiens to improve this season, they’ll need to be a lot more disciplined. The Habs were outshot 16-3 by the Red Wings on six power plays including two 5-on-3 disadvantages in Saturday’s 3-2 shootout loss.
Georges Laraque was a liability in the first period of that game picking up a double minor for high-sticking Darren Helm and bringing down Niklas Kromwall with a knee-on-knee hit on the same shift. Kromwall will have to miss at least two weeks with a sprained left knee.
Laraque had a hearing with NHL vice president Colin Campbell on Monday to review his hit on Kromwall, but according to Red Wings GM Ken Holland, the hit was clearly dirty.
“Absolutely,” he said. “Yes, it was dirty. It was knee-on-knee, and I believe knee-on-knee is a dirty play. I don’t know if the referees saw it. I just saw Nik go down and then I got to watch it on TV and video replay.”
The Columbus Blue Jackets own the second best power play in the league with a 25.3 percent success rate. Expect them to take advantage against the often-penalized Canadiens.
Pick: Blue Jackets