This cross-conference matchup at Bell Centre features the Vegas Golden Knights, a Pacific Division contender with strong scoring depth, against the Montreal Canadiens, an Atlantic Division team riding offensive momentum and home-ice advantage. It’s the second meeting this season, with both teams showcasing potent attacks but vulnerabilities in defense and goaltending consistency.
Event Details
Venue: Bell Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET (4:00 PM PT)
Broadcast/Streaming: ESPN+, Sportsnet (Canada), local regional networks, NHL Power Play
Records: Vegas Golden Knights (25-14-12, Pacific Division), Montreal Canadiens (28-17-7, Atlantic Division; 14-11-1 at home)
Injury Report
Vegas Golden Knights: No major injuries listed in pregame reports. Core players like Jack Eichel, Adin Hill (in net), and key forwards/defensemen appear available. Depth has been tested earlier in the season, but current lineup intact for this road game.
Montreal Canadiens: No significant injuries reported. Cole Caufield (recent hat trick performance) and top lines (Nick Suzuki, Juraj Slafkovsky) expected to play. Team relatively healthy entering the matchup, with focus on maintaining offensive output.
Key Player Matchups
Top Lines: Vegas’ Jack Eichel (elite playmaker, high points production) vs. Montreal’s Nick Suzuki (team leader in scoring, strong two-way play). Eichel’s vision could exploit Montreal’s transition defense.
Scoring Threats: Vegas forwards (e.g., supported by depth scoring) vs. Montreal’s Cole Caufield (hot streak, high-volume shooter) and emerging talents like Ivan Demidov (recent multi-point games). Montreal ranks high in goals scored (~3.4 GPG, top-5 league).
Goaltending: Vegas’ Adin Hill (solid save percentage, ~.908 career) vs. Montreal’s Sam Montembeault (team’s primary netminder). Edge to Montreal’s offense pressuring Hill, but Vegas’ defensive structure helps.
Key X-Factor: Montreal’s home crowd energy and power-play efficiency vs. Vegas’ road resilience (13-7-6 away). If Montreal scores 3+ goals (strong 25-6-6 record in such games), they thrive; Vegas excels when netting 3+ (~24-5-7).
Recent Team Form
Golden Knights: Mixed but competitive. Recent heavy road loss 7-1 to Ottawa Senators (January 25), but prior win 6-3 over Toronto Maple Leafs (January 26). Offense ranks top-10 (~3.3 GPG), defense allows moderate goals. 5-4-1 type form in recent stretches, with high-scoring tendencies (over 6.5 goals in 27/51 games).
Canadiens: Solid momentum. Recent 4-3 loss to Boston Bruins (January 24, Caufield hat trick), but strong overall with 5-4-1 in last 10 (averaging 3.6 goals scored, 3.1 allowed). Offense explosive (175 goals, 3.4 GPG, 4th in NHL), defense leaky (3.3 allowed, 25th). Point percentage ~.606.
Series History
All-time regular season: Competitive, with Vegas holding a slight edge in recent years (e.g., 10-9 in last 19 meetings across sources). Vegas has won more in some stretches, but Montreal competitive at home. Games often high-scoring; this is the second matchup this season. Historical playoff meeting in 2021 Conference Finals (Vegas won series).
Betting Trends
Vegas strong as slight favorites (21/40 wins under -119); Montreal covers well at home. Over trends strong (Vegas 27/51 over 6.5; Montreal 31 games over). Recent games high-output.
Game Odds
Vegas Golde Knights – 112
Montreal Canadiens 6.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, January 26, 2026
