Canadiens vs Jets Odds, Best Bets and How to Watch – Scheifele Suspended 4 Games Ahead of Game 2

• The  Winnipeg Jets host the Montreal Canadiens in Game 2 of their 2nd Round series Friday, June 4th on CBC/TVAS/USA
• Jets forward Mark Scheifele has been suspended four games for a dirty hit in Game One
• Here are the odds, team previews, and the best value bet available

If game one between Montreal and Winnipeg was a sign of what’s to come, this should be a hell of series.

The opener provided an upset victory, a gruesome injury and a superstar player earning a lengthy suspension. As for game two, The Jets are listed as a slight favorite to even the series.

Canadiens vs Jets Game 2 Odds

Odds as of June 3rd

Here’s an update on both rosters as well as a strong case for the best value bet on the board.

Scheifele Suspension Hurts Jets Depth

Mark Scheifele has been suspended for four games after a vicious hit near the end of game one. Canadiens forward Jake Evans was completing a wrap around into the empty net when he was blindsided by Scheifele. The Jets star was offered a hearing by the department of player safety and was ultimately banned for games two through five (if needed).

Mark Scheifele was given a 5-minute game misconduct for this hit on Jake Evans #GoJetsGo #GoHabsGo

Thoughts on the hit?

pic.twitter.com/lFq8V1OoAn

— SiriusXM NHL Network Radio (@SiriusXMNHL) June 3, 2021

The decision is a major punishment for several reasons. Scheifele is the Jets’ first line center and a key contributor on offense, with five points in five playoff games, but it goes deeper than that. Second line center Paul Stastny did play in the opener with an undisclosed injury and may not play Friday night either. Winnipeg’s strength is it’s depth up front and suddenly that is being challenged in a big way.

"It was a dirty hit. But the league's going to take care of it. If he gets back in the series, we're going to make his life miserable."

— @CanadiensMTL defenseman Joel Edmundson on Mark Scheifele's hit on Jake Evans.

— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) June 3, 2021

Montreal has proven they can take advantage of an opponent that’s facing depth issues. In the opening round the Toronto Maple Leafs lost star John Tavares in game one and eventually top defenseman Jake Muzzin. Two key players out of the lineup was more than enough for the Canadiens to take advantage and advance.

Can Canadiens Run Win Streak To Five Games?

Montreal’s victory in the series opener was their fourth in a row. They stormed back from a 3-1 deficit against Toronto and now own the edge over Winnipeg. They’ve been winning games despite the absence of Jonathan Drouin for personal reasons and will now need to fill Evans’ hole in the lineup. Evans was diagnosed with a concussion after absorbing the Scheifele hit and is out indefinitely. While he may not be a superstar name, he had been playing a crucial role as a great checking winger on a line with Phillip Danault and Brendan Gallagher.

Canadiens vs Jets Series Odds

There’s a reason to be confident in the Canadiens despite losing Evans. They can win hockey games several different ways, which is important in the playoffs. Of course they have mega star Carey Price between the pipes, but he’s not the only reason they are winning games. They won the opener in a high-scoring affair and have taken two games in overtime. Their ability to rely on multiple players is proving to be a big key to success.

Trust Montreal To Take Advantage Of Depleted Jets

Winnipeg limped into the postseason and seemed to have turned things around, quickly sweeping the Edmonton Oilers in round one. The long layoff didn’t help in game one and the mounting absences in the lineup will cause an even bigger problem.

The Canadiens are taking advantage when provided opportunities in these playoffs and they have a great one in game two. Trust Price and company to get the job done in a close game, possibly even their third overtime victory of the playoffs.

• The Pick: Canadiens Moneyline (-103)