Montreal Canadiens vs. Winnipeg Jets Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 14th 2024

Preview and Prediction

A Canadian clash takes place on the ice in Winnipeg on Saturday evening as the Jets host the Montreal Canadiens, with both teams striving to establish some consistency.

Following a stunning 8-1 victory over Boston on Tuesday, the Jets were unable to maintain that momentum in a 3-2 defeat to Vegas on Thursday. In the final minutes of the third period, they found themselves on the wrong side of a 5-on-3 situation, which proved to be costly. The Jets conceded the tying goal and ultimately fell to Ivan Barbashev's overtime winner.

"I don't believe we attacked like they did," commented Jets head coach Scott Arniel after the home loss.

When asked how his team's pace of play can change so quickly, Arniel stated, "When you deviate from the things you consistently do, you must continue to emphasize them. You must continue to remind the players that there is a specific way we must play in order to create offense, and a specific way we must play defensively to prevent the opposition from having opportunities... Hopefully, in the next game, we will see a significant improvement in this area."

However, amidst the uncertainty, there is a shining light in Winnipeg: Nikita Chibrikov. He has scored in each of his first three NHL games (one last season, two this week), setting a franchise record in the process.

"You can see a lot of the little plays he makes out there," said teammate Josh Morrissey. "It's not an easy transition coming up from the minors and not playing the beginning of the season with our team... Hopefully, he can maintain this level of play."

Meanwhile, the Canadiens are reeling after a brutal collapse of their own on Thursday, suffering a 9-2 defeat to Pittsburgh after conceding six third-period goals.

"To me, it was more disappointment. To me, anger is an emotion, disappointment is a feeling," stated Habs coach Martin St. Louis when asked about his emotions on the bench.

"Every play matters in this league. There is not a single action on the ice that cannot impact the outcome of the game... Unfortunately, I believe it is part of our growth and we hope that these moments occur less frequently, and when they do happen, they do not happen consecutively."

The players are desperate to stop the bleeding and will need to shake off the sting of that loss quickly as they head out on the road to face the Jets.

"It's frustrating. It's disappointing... But we should have every reason to respond with our best effort here in Winnipeg," said forward Brendan Gallagher following the defeat to the Penguins. "It's a good challenge for us, and I trust that our group will put forth a better effort."

Montreal's leading scorer is Nick Suzuki with 30 points (11 goals, 19 assists). He contributed one of the Canadiens' two goals against Pittsburgh and has recorded points in eight consecutive games (four goals, seven assists).

Montreal's David Savard is uncertain to return after being ruled out on Thursday with an upper-body injury. For Winnipeg, Dylan Samberg is still recovering from a broken foot, and Nikolaj Ehlers is back on the ice but has not yet begun to progress towards game action.

PREDICTION

Montreal Canadiens

2

4

Winnipeg Jets

Montreal Canadiens vs. Winnipeg Jets Recap MAR 17TH 2021