LeBlanc's prediction: Habs beat up on the lowly Blues.
NHL
The Montreal Canadiens take on the St. Louis Blues in an afternoon matchup on Saturday, January 3. This marks the second meeting between these two teams this season after the Blues took a 4-3 nailbiter just under a month ago.
My Canadiens vs. Blues predictions and NHL picks suggest that the Habs will continue their scorching stretch and winning ways on the road.
Canadiens vs Blues best bet: Canadiens moneyline (-130)
The Montreal Canadiens have won six of their last 10 and have just one regulation loss during that span. They’re up against a struggling St. Louis Blues team that scores the fewest goals in the NHL and allows the fourth-most, the perfect recipe for the league’s third-best offense in the Canadiens.
Montreal boasts an elite road record of 12-3-5 and is coming off two huge road wins against the Carolina Hurricanes and the Florida Panthers. Their fifth-ranked power-play also matches up well against the Blues’ 23rd-ranked penalty kill.
Canadiens forward Ivan Demidov is undoubtedly making a statement in the Calder Trophy race, racking up an assist in each game during a five-game point streak (three goals, six assists). Both of his linemates, Juraj Slafkosvky and Oliver Kapanen, were chosen to represent their respective nations at the 2026 Winter Olympics, and the young European trio has been one of the NHL’s best lines over the last few weeks.
Demidov has 12 assists in 15 games dating back to December 2 and is on pace for over 70 points.
Similarly, Lane Hutson has certainly been making his case for the Norris Trophy after being notably left off the United States’ Olympic roster. The diminutive blueliner leads all NHL defensemen with 34 assists this season and is on pace to shatter his rookie total for shots on goal. He’s hit the Over in four of his last five. He’s not typically a shoot-first player, so take advantage of this trigger-happy streak while you can.
St. Louis has won three of the last four home meetings against Montreal and four of the last five. Find more NHL betting trends for Canadiens vs. Blues.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
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Luc has been passionate about sports since he was a child, playing competitive hockey and staying closely tuned to professional leagues. Today, he brings that same energy to his work as a Content Editor, covering NHL games, player props, and betting trends with a sharp, analytical eye.
Since 2023, Luc has been writing picks and analysis for various publications, helping readers discover value in several major sports. While hockey is his specialty, he also closely follows tennis, keeping up with both the ATP and WTA Tours.
A graduate of Saint Mary’s University (BSc, Geography, 2025), Luc approaches sports betting the way he approaches maps and statistics by looking for patterns, trends, and angles that give him an edge. He focuses on research-backed and well-informed picks, spotting correlations, and finding the best opportunities in player props and game markets.
When he’s not making data-driven betting decisions or breaking down NHL matchups, you’ll find Luc on the ice, hitting the tennis courts, or engaging in some other form of exercise — staying connected to the sports he loves.
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