New Jersey at Montreal

The Devils are off to a good start. The offense has been slow to come around, but the good news is that they are playing well defensively, and getting good play behind the net. The Devils have allowed just 10 goals in their last four games after allowing 11 in their first two. Sooner or later if they keep limiting the opponents, they are going to start winning a lot of games. Montreal at 3-1-1 is out of the gate fast, but there has been no margin for error with this team. Every single one of their five games was a 1-goal verdict. The Devils have followed a 3+ goal loss at home by going 5-2 in their next game in the last seven occurrences, while beating up on the Northeast to the tune of 24-10 in their last 34. The Canadiens show rust after three days off, coming back to go just 1-5. The Devils have owned Montreal at 31-10-3 in the last 44 meetings, including four straight in Montreal. I like New Jersey here.