Picks: Columbus Looks to Garon to Right Ship

Updated: November 25, 2009 at 11:24 am by Matt Bennett

Betting

Nice 2-0 rebound with big wins from the Bruins and Stars!  Only one matchup tonight but it should be a good one! 

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Columbus Blue Jackets +115 at Montreal Canadiens -135

Here’s a fun stat, when the Blue Jackets turn to Mathieu Garon the game after the Blue Jackets get blown out, they are 2-1 overall and 1-1 on the road with a shutout.  The Habs?  Haven’t beaten a Central Division opponent yet this year after dropping their matchup against Detroit on Saturday.  They have, however, won 3 of their last 5 but are still only 6-5-1 at home (0-2-1 against Western teams).  Prior to losing their last 2, Columbus was on a 3-game winning streak and overall, they’ve managed to go 2-1-1 on the road in the East.  Columbus does feature the league’s best road offense, 3.8 goals per game, but also feature the league’s worst road offense, a whopping 4.2 goals per game.  At least we can be fortunate Steve Mason, 4-3-1 and 4.39 GAA on the road, won’t be in net but Mathieu Garon isn’t exactly Mr. Reliable, either.  Garon does have a 3.49 GAA on the road this season but a lot of that was in relief of Mason.  In his 3 starts, Garon is 2-1 with a 2.67 GAA against – something I can live with.  Montreal is just as inconsistent as the Jackets but produce much less at home than the Jackets can deliver – 2.8 goals for and 2.7 goals against – and have only won 1 of their last 4 home games (they beat Carolina 3-2).  Columbus has gone over the game total in 10 of their 12 road games this season but Montreal has gone under in 4 of their last 5 home games.
Pick: Jackets +115

Fan Favourite Record: 5-9, -5.02

Betting results by category so far this season:

  • Money Line 47-53, -14.26
  • Puck Line 7-18, -7.1
  • Game Totals 42-32-1, +4.17
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6 Comments For This Post

  1. Apexas Says:

    This is tough pickings, but I’m compelled to since it’s the only game of the night. I’m gonna go with the Jackets setting the tempo of this game with a Jackets win + over 5.5

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  2. Matt Bennett Says:

    A lot of love for that over tonight… the over line has actually moved to +110 as the under is getting much more play

    The Habs have some major injuries and have only averaged 2.0 goals per game over their last 4 and Carey Price has allowed 2.0 goals in each of his 5 starts and a 2.00 GAA over his last 7.

    The Over isn’t out of reach but don’t be surprised if it goes under!

    Now that I say that the game will go to 11 goals! haha

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  3. Ricky Daniels Says:

    I feel like Columbus is going to be pretty frustrated after yesterday’s big loss to the Rangers, because you know it felt more like that 7-2 than the final 7-4. I think Umberger, Nash, and Torres could find the net against Price, he’s prone to poor games.

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  4. Ricky Daniels Says:

    It appears these two goaltenders intend to make you eat your words.

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  5. Matt Bennett Says:

    heh.. words are eaten.

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  6. Matt Bennett Says:

    too bad columbus forgot how to hold a lead… twice

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