Montreal Canadiens vs New Jersey Devils Prediction

Montreal Canadiens vs New Jersey Devils Prediction - April 04, 2026

Note: Final picks on our picks page may differ from this article's prediction, as they incorporate last-minute goalie confirmations, injury updates, and live odds closer to game time. Always check the picks page for the most up-to-date selections.

The Montreal Canadiens bring momentum into New Jersey on April 4th, riding a five-game winning streak into a matchup against a Devils team that has cooled slightly in recent games. This Canadiens vs Devils prediction features two teams with contrasting trajectories—Montreal climbing with excellent recent form, New Jersey still a threat but showing inconsistency over their last five contests. With both clubs at full health and neither dealing with back-to-back fatigue, this game should showcase the underlying quality metrics that separate these Eastern Conference competitors.

Team Form & Recent Performance

Montreal's recent form is impossible to ignore. The Canadiens have won their last five games, establishing a 8-2-0 record that puts them among the league's hot teams heading into this matchup. That kind of sustained success indicates both confidence and execution across all four lines.

New Jersey, meanwhile, has managed three wins over their last five games, which tells the story of a team still capable but less dominant than Montreal's current run. The Devils sit at 7-3-0, a respectable record, but the gap in recent momentum clearly favors the visitors. Both teams have normal scheduling with one day of rest, so fatigue won't be a factor in this Canadiens Devils pick.

Advanced Stats Comparison

When analyzing the NHL picks landscape for this game, advanced metrics reveal a nuanced battle. New Jersey holds an edge in Corsi percentage at 51.28% compared to Montreal's 45.33%, suggesting the Devils generate more raw shot attempts and maintain possession longer. That's a meaningful advantage in hockey's foundational metric.

However, Montreal's expected goals percentage (xGF%) tells a different story: 51.31% compared to New Jersey's 53.78%. While the Devils edge Montreal here as well, the gap is smaller and indicates both teams convert possession into quality chances at similar rates. In high-danger chances (HDCF%), New Jersey leads 50.19% to Montreal's 47.47%—another sign the Devils are generating premium scoring opportunities.

The numbers suggest a competitive game where New Jersey has the possession and chance-generation edge, but Montreal's recent performance and overall execution keep this matchup tightly contested.

Goalie Matchup

The crease becomes crucial in tight matchups like this one. Montreal's J. Dobes arrives with an impressive 26-8-4 record, representing elite consistency and a save percentage that has carried the Canadiens through their winning streak. Dobes' recent form aligns perfectly with the team's surge.

New Jersey counters with J. Markstrom, who carries a 22-18-1 record—a solid but less dominant profile than his Montreal counterpart. Markstrom remains a capable starter, but the statistical advantage in goal clearly favors the Canadiens in this matchup.

Prediction

According to WP Hockey Predictor's advanced analytics, the Montreal Canadiens vs New Jersey Devils prediction favors Montreal to emerge victorious. The calculator outputs a 52.8% win probability for the Canadiens versus 47.2% for the Devils.

While New Jersey's possession and shot metrics suggest they'll generate opportunities, Montreal's five-game winning streak, superior goaltending, and slightly better expected goals percentage create the edge. The Canadiens' execution and momentum overcome the Devils' possession advantage. Nick Suzuki is our anytime goalscorer pick for Montreal.

For a detailed breakdown and to run your own prediction with different scenarios, visit our Run your own prediction tool on WP Hockey Predictor.