Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET
Venue: Centre Bell (Bell Centre), Montreal, Quebec
TV/Streaming: Wild+ / MINNHL (Wild market); TSN2 / RDS (Canada/Canadiens market)
This inter-conference clash features two of the NHL’s strongest early-season teams. The Wild lead the Central Division with elite defensive metrics, while the Canadiens sit high in the Atlantic and ride strong recent form into a home date at the Bell Centre. It is the first meeting of the 2026-27 season between the clubs.
Injury Reports
Minnesota Wild
Brock Faber: Out (skull fracture; IR).
Jared Spurgeon: Out (lower-body; IR/week-to-week).
Filip Gustavsson: Out (hip; long-term IR).
Michael McCarron: Day-to-day (undisclosed/upper-body).
Other depth pieces have been managed; the core offensive group remains largely intact.
Montreal Canadiens
Mike Matheson: Out (lower-body).
Ivan Demidov: Out (lower-body/ankle).
Samuel Montembeault: Out/day-to-day (lower-body).
Josh Anderson: Out/day-to-day (personal).
Additional absences include Lucas Condotta and Bryce Pickford (undisclosed/IR).
Current Key Rosters / Projected Contributors
Wild (Head Coach: John Hynes):
Offense is paced by Kirill Kaprizov (team leader in goals and points), Matt Boldy, Joel Eriksson Ek, and emerging contributors such as Maxim Shabanov. Quinn Hughes anchors a strong blue line. In net, Jesper Wallstedt has been outstanding (projected starter; roughly 11-2-3, ~1.99 GAA, .922 SV% in a heavy workload). Calvin Pickard is the primary backup.
Canadiens (Head Coach: Martin St. Louis):
Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield lead the attack, with support from Alex Newhook (recent multi-goal game), Lane Hutson (strong production from the blue line), Juraj Slafkovsky, and others. Goaltending options include Jacob Fowler (projected by some sources) and Jakub Dobes; Montembeault’s status remains a factor.
Recent Team Forms
Wild (12-3-4): Excellent defensive metrics (league-leading or near-leading goals against per game around 2.26). Solid special teams (strong power play). Last 10 roughly 6-1-3. Recent results include a shutout-style defensive win over San Jose and an overtime loss to Tampa Bay. Strong on the road (7-3-2).
Canadiens (11-3-3): Hot streak with points in most of their last 10 (roughly 8-0-2). Offensive output is solid (~3.47 GF/GP); home record is competitive (around 5-2-2). Recent highlight was a 4-2 win at Toronto featuring Newhook’s multi-goal night. Penalty kill is respectable; power play has been a relative weakness.
Minnesota holds clear edges in goals against and overall structure; Montreal counters with home energy and recent scoring punch.
Key Player Matchups
Kirill Kaprizov / Matt Boldy / Joel Eriksson Ek vs. Nick Suzuki / Cole Caufield and Canadiens top-six: Minnesota’s primary scoring line against Montreal’s skill group. Kaprizov’s finishing and playmaking will test Montreal’s defense.
Quinn Hughes and Wild blue line vs. Canadiens forwards: Hughes’ transition game and offense from the back end against Suzuki, Caufield, and Hutson’s own contributions.
Special teams: Wild power play (strong percentage) vs. Canadiens penalty kill, and vice versa. Minnesota’s edge here could be decisive.
Goaltending: Jesper Wallstedt vs. Jacob Fowler / Jakub Dobes. Wallstedt’s elite numbers give Minnesota a clear advantage in net if he starts as projected.
Depth and physicality: Wild’s structured two-way play and secondary scoring against Montreal’s home crowd and opportunistic attack.
Series History
First meeting of the 2026-27 season. Historically, Minnesota has dominated recent head-to-head matchups (strong record in the last 10+ meetings, including multiple shutouts and home winning streaks against Montreal). Games have often been competitive and occasionally high-scoring.
Betting Trends
Wild allow the fewest goals in the league and perform well on the road. Canadiens have been strong at home recently and generate offense, but their power play lags. Unders have value given Minnesota’s stingy defense; overs can play if Montreal’s attack clicks early.
Minnesota’s elite defensive structure, superior goaltending with Wallstedt, and balanced scoring should edge a competitive Canadiens team at home. Montreal will generate chances through Suzuki, Caufield, and Newhook and could force overtime, but the Wild’s ability to limit high-danger opportunities and capitalize on special teams gives them the slight advantage in regulation.
Game Odds
Minnesota Wild – 126
Montreal Canadiens 6.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Monday, November 9, 2026
