Princess Auto Stadium, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Puck drop: 7:00 p.m. ET (6:00 p.m. CT)
TV/Streaming: TNT, truTV, HBO Max (U.S.); Sportsnet, TVA Sports (Canada)
This is the 2026 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic, an outdoor game at the CFL’s Princess Auto Stadium (home of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers). It is the first meeting of the 2026-27 season between the clubs and the first outdoor game of the NHL season.
Projected Lineups
Canadiens (without captain Nick Suzuki)
Forwards (approximate/common projections):
Cole Caufield – Oliver Kapanen – Juraj Slafkovský
Chris Kreider – Alex Newhook – Josh Anderson
Zack Bolduc / Alexandre Texier – Phillip Danault – others
Kirby Dach – Jake Evans – Owen Beck Defense:
Lane Hutson – Noah Dobson
Mike Matheson – Alexandre Carrier
Kaiden Guhle – Arber Xhekaj Goalies: Jacob Fowler or Jakub Dobes (Fowler has been stronger early; both have started recently; Montembeault is out).
Jets
Forwards:
Kyle Connor – Mark Scheifele – Cole Perfetti
Alex Iafallo – (centers such as Viggo Björck or others) – Gabriel Vilardi
Isak Rosén / others – Adam Lowry – Dawson Mercer (newly acquired)
Nino Niederreiter (if available) – Morgan Barron – depth Defense:
Dylan Samberg – Neal Pionk
Mario Ferraro – others
Depth pairs including Dylan DeMelo Goalies: Stuart Skinner (expected starter; Hellebuyck was traded to New Jersey days earlier) / Nico Daws.
Lineups are fluid due to injuries and the outdoor setting; final confirmations come closer to game time.
Injury Reports
Canadiens:
Nick Suzuki (upper body) – Out (expected return mid-to-late November).
Samuel Montembeault (lower body) – Out/IR.
Ivan Demidov (lower body) – Out.
Florian Xhekaj (lower body) – Out.
Additional depth players (e.g., Lucas Condotta, Bryce Pickford) also sidelined.
Jets:
Josh Morrissey (upper body/wrist) – Out.
Vladislav Namestnikov (undisclosed) – Out.
Garrett Brown (lower body) – Out.
Nino Niederreiter – Day-to-day (upper body) in some reports.
Connor Hellebuyck was traded to New Jersey shortly before the game (package included Dawson Mercer and others).
Both teams are missing significant contributors, with Montreal’s loss of its captain and a top goalie particularly impactful, and Winnipeg adjusting after the Hellebuyck trade and Morrissey’s absence.
Recent Team Forms
Canadiens: 5-3-2 overall. They enter off a 4-1 road win over the Chicago Blackhawks. Offense has been productive (~3.2 GF/GP), led by Caufield and contributions from Slafkovský, Hutson (strong from the blue line), and others filling in for Suzuki. Defensive metrics and goaltending have been softer (higher GA/GP). They hold a stronger expected-goals share in some analyses.
Jets: 4-3-3 and riding a four-game losing streak (many one-goal or overtime decisions). They started the season with points in their first four games but have struggled recently. Offense is more limited (~2.6 GF/GP), though Kyle Connor has been a bright spot. Defensive numbers are solid relative to the league (better GA ranking), and Skinner has provided competent goaltending. The team is adjusting to life after trading Hellebuyck.
Special teams: Jets have the stronger power play early; both penalty kills are mid-pack to solid.
Key Player vs. Player Matchups
Cole Caufield / Juraj Slafkovský vs. Jets top defense (Pionk/Samberg and Skinner): With Suzuki out, Caufield carries a heavier offensive load. Expect him to be a primary threat on the power play and at even strength against Winnipeg’s structured defense.
Kyle Connor / Mark Scheifele vs. Canadiens defense (Hutson-Dobson, Matheson pairs): Connor has been Winnipeg’s leading scorer. Containing him and Scheifele will be critical for Montreal’s blue line, especially in an outdoor environment that can favor skilled puck-handlers or create odd-man opportunities.
Lane Hutson vs. Jets forwards: The young Canadiens defenseman has been highly productive and logs heavy minutes; his ability to transition and contribute offensively will be key.
Goaltending: Fowler/Dobes vs. Stuart Skinner — Skinner has been the more consistent option early for Winnipeg. Montreal’s net is less settled with Montembeault out.
Secondary battles: Physical play involving Josh Anderson and Winnipeg’s bottom-six/forwards like Lowry; faceoff and board battles in outdoor conditions.
Series History
First meeting of 2026-27. Recent history favors Montreal: they took both meetings last season (including a 5-1 win in Winnipeg and a shootout victory). Broader recent samples have been competitive, with several one-goal or extra-time games. Outdoor games add an unpredictable element (weather, ice conditions, atmosphere).
Betting Trends
Jets on a four-game skid but competitive in close games and at home.
Canadiens more productive offensively but missing key pieces and facing outdoor variables.
Outdoor games can suppress or inflate scoring depending on weather/ice; totals often move based on conditions.
Game Odds
Montreal Canadiens – 119
Winnipeg Jets 6
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Saturday, October 24, 2026
