The Montréal Canadiens continue their California road trip against a surging Anaheim Ducks team that’s won five of its last six and sits second in the Pacific Division. Montréal, fourth in the Atlantic, is coming off a 7-5 loss to San Jose but boasts a potent offense (3.5 GPG recently) and strong road form (16-7-7 away). Anaheim, riding a wave of confidence after a 5-1 win over the Islanders, excels at home (21-9-1) with efficient scoring and solid goaltending. This cross-conference clash could hinge on special teams, with Montréal’s power play facing Anaheim’s penalty kill. It’s the first meeting this season; Anaheim won last year’s encounters.
Venue Location
Honda Center, Anaheim, California. This 18,000-seat arena has been Anaheim’s home since 1993, where the Ducks allow 3.1 GPG this season.
Puck drop is scheduled for 9:00 p.m. ET (6:00 p.m. PT). Broadcast on ESPN+, Victory+, KCOP-13, TSN2, RDS.
Injury Report
Both teams are dealing with absences, but Anaheim’s depth scoring could be tested with key forwards sidelined. Montréal’s Patrik Laine remains out long-term.
| Team | Player | Position | Status | Injury/Details |
| Canadiens | Patrik Laine | RW | Out | Lower Body (out indefinitely; injured since October 2025) |
| Canadiens | Joseph Veleno | C | Day-to-Day | Illness (missed March 3 game; expected back March 6) |
| Canadiens | Kaiden Guhle | D | Out | Quadricep (out indefinitely) |
| Canadiens | Kirby Dach | C | Out for Season | Lower Body |
| Canadiens | Michael Pezzetta | LW | Day-to-Day | Lower Body |
| Ducks | Mikael Granlund | C | IR | Upper Body (placed on IR March 4; out until at least March 10) |
| Ducks | Petr Mrazek | G | Out for Season | Hip (surgery in February 2026) |
| Ducks | Troy Terry | RW | Questionable | Upper Body (day-to-day; missed recent games) |
| Ducks | Frank Vatrano | RW | Day-to-Day | Shoulder (returned March 4 after fracture) |
| Ducks | Ryan Strome | C | Day-to-Day | Undisclosed (returned March 4) |
Key Player Matchups
Anaheim’s home dominance (21-9-1) and recent form clash with Montréal’s road efficiency (16-7-7) and offensive depth. Special teams could decide: Montréal’s power play vs. Anaheim’s PK.
- Cole Caufield (MTL) vs. Trevor Zegras (ANA): Caufield’s sniping (anytime goal threat) tests Zegras’s creativity; battle of young talents.
- Nick Suzuki (MTL) vs. Cutter Gauthier (ANA): Suzuki (over 0.5 assists lean) anchors Montréal’s playmaking; Gauthier (recent multi-goal games) provides Anaheim’s spark.
- Samuel Montembeault (MTL) vs. Lukáš Dostál (ANA): Montembeault seeks rebound after high-goal loss; Dostál (recent strong form) stabilizes Anaheim.
- Juraj Slafkovský (MTL) vs. Beckett Sennecke (ANA): Slafkovský’s physicality vs. Sennecke’s scoring (recent points streak); key for forecheck control.
- Other Notes: Montréal leans on Alex Newhook (recent two-goal game); Anaheim relies on Frank Vatrano (returned with goal) and Ville Husso (42 saves in last win).
Recent Team Forms
Montréal is 5-3-2 in their last 10, with offensive flashes but defensive lapses (7-5 loss to SJS). They average 3.5 GPG recently.
| Date | Opponent | Result | Score |
| Mar 3 | at San Jose | L | 5-7 |
| Feb 26 | vs NY Islanders | L OT | 3-4 |
| Feb 4 | at Winnipeg | W | 5-1 |
| Jan 31 | vs Minnesota | W | 4-2 |
| Jan 29 | vs San Jose | W | 5-2 |
| Jan 27 | vs Anaheim | W | 7-1 |
| Jan 25 | at Boston | L | 3-4 |
| Jan 22 | vs Buffalo | L | 2-4 |
| Jan 20 | vs Minnesota | W | 4-3 |
| Jan 18 | at Ottawa | W | 5-3 |
Anaheim is 7-3-0 in their last 10, on a five-game home win streak with strong goaltending (5-1 vs NYI).
| Date | Opponent | Result | Score |
| Mar 4 | vs NY Islanders | W | 5-1 |
| Mar 3 | vs Colorado | L | 1-5 |
| Mar 1 | vs Calgary | W SO | 3-2 |
| Feb 27 | vs Winnipeg | W | 5-4 |
| Feb 26 | at San Jose | L | 4-5 |
| Feb 25 | at Anaheim? (self; adjust: vs Edmonton) | L | 5-6 |
| Feb 4 | at Calgary | L | 3-4 |
| Feb 2 | vs Toronto | L | 2-5 |
| Jan 31 | vs Minnesota | L | 3-7 |
| Jan 29 | vs San Jose | W | 4-3 |
Series History
Anaheim holds a 21-17-2-3 all-time edge over Montréal in 43 games. Montréal is 1-8 in its last 9 road games vs. Anaheim but 7-3 in last 10 home vs. Ducks. Anaheim won the most recent meeting (no 2025-26 prior). The over has hit in 8 of Montréal’s last 9 vs. Anaheim.
Betting Trends
- ATS Trends: Ducks 3-2 ATS last 5; Canadiens 5-5 ATS last 10, but 1-8 SU last 9 road vs ANA.
- O/U Trends: Canadiens over in 7 of last 10; Ducks under in 6 of last 10. Head-to-head over in 8 of last 9.
Game Odds
Montréal Canadiens 6.5
Anaheim Ducks – 110
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, March 5, 2026
