2024-25 Canadiens Season Preview, Predictions, & Odds

While the Montreal Canadiens are slowly building a team their diehard fans can be proud of, expectations should be tempered for the 2024-25 campaign. 

After finishing second-to-last in the Eastern Conference last season, it’s too much of a leap to expect them to punch a postseason ticket. 

Their hockey odds are +600 to make the playoffs.

While a playoff berth is aspirational at best, the Canadiens should improve thanks to the additional experience their core group gained last season. 

Montreal Canadiens Futures Odds

Point Total: 77.5

Atlantic Division: +10000

Eastern Conference: +10000

Stanley Cup: +15000

Montreal Canadiens Offseason Moves

If we’re comparing the Canadiens’ offseason to an earthquake, it barely registered on the Richter scale, at least regarding personnel moves. 

The acquisition of Patrik Laine was the most notable offseason move. However, the former Winnipeg Jet sniper sprained his knee in preseason and will be out for at least two months. 

While his injury won’t require surgery, it’s a devastating blow for the player and the team, as both parties hope this is an opportunity for him to recapture his previous all-star form. 

Otherwise, the Canadiens made their biggest splash at the draft, selecting right winger Ivan Demidov with the fifth pick and center Michael Hage at No. 21. Demidov is expected to remain in Russia with his KHL team SKA Saint Petersburg for much, if not all, of the season. 

Montreal Canadiens Additions

Montreal Canadiens Departures

Montreal Canadiens 2024-25 Betting Prediction

Prediction: Over 77.5 points (-120)

I predict the Canadiens will improve from last season and finish the season with at least 78 points. Their -120 NHL odds imply a 54.55% chance of doing so. 

However, I don’t expect Martin St. Louis’ team to challenge for a playoff spot. Thanks to a 30-36-16 record, the Canadiens finished the 2023-24 campaign rooted to the bottom of the Atlantic Division. 

They were as bad offensively as defensively, ranking 26th in goals per game (2.83) and goals against per game (3.43). 

I don’t have much confidence that their defensive record will improve. Starting netminder Sam Montembeault has shown moments of brilliance but often fails to consistently reach the level expected of a bonafide No. 1 goaltender. 

He managed to keep his save percentage north of .900 in the last two seasons (.901 and .903) but struggled with a 3.42 and 3.14 goals against average.

Last season, he finished with 3.3 goals saved above expected, ranking 31st overall. However, the 27-year-old netminder doesn’t have an elite defensive group to make life any easier.

They lost top defence prospect David Reinbacher to a devastating knee injury against Toronto in a preseason game and, otherwise, are led by an inexperienced blue line among two average veterans. 

The onus is on David Savard and Mike Matheson to lead by example. While Matheson is underrated, he doesn’t have the pedigree to shoulder the responsibility placed on him. 

There is, however, promise on the offensive end of the rink.

Juraj Slafkovský scored 16 goals and 19 assists in the 40 games to close out last season, 10 more points than he scored in his first 81 games as a pro. 

He’ll be expected to pick up the slack on the power play, particularly after the news of the Laine injury. 

The team is also top-heavy, with a palpable drop-off in production and skill after the first two lines.

William Trudeau puts it right on Nick Suzuki's stick and it's 2-0 Habs! pic.twitter.com/WVlo608ivN

— Scott Matla (@scottmatla) September 25, 2024

Captain Nick Suzuki led with 77 points (33 goals and 44 assists) in 82 games, while Cole Caufield (65 points in 82 games) and Slafkovský (50 points in 82 games) rounded out the top three scorers.

Nobody else managed more than 34 points. 

While a work in progress, the Canadiens will see incremental improvements and finish with Over 77.5 points. It’s my best online sportsbook bet.