This is an 8* on MONTREAL

Montreal has slipped down the Atlantic Division standings, the reason being they've lost five straight games. But their 43 points still has the Canadiens very viable to make a run to the playoffs. But they can't afford too many more slip-ups and tonight almost feels like one of those "must-wins" as they host Winnipeg. The Jets have lost two in a row themselves, not to mention seven of the last nine games as well. So one team's misery is going to continue after tonight. We believe it will be the Jets. They've allowed at least four goals in seven of the last nine games. At the same time, they failed to notch even one goal at even strength in Saturday's 3-2 overtime loss at Minnesota. Montreal is also off an overtime loss and four of their last five losses have been by one goal and they've been facing some pretty strong competition lately. The Jets have won just 4 of their last 17 visits to Quebec and the Canadiens are 14-5 the last 19 times they've been off a game where they scored two or less goals. Play on MONTREAL

AAA