Venue & Game Details
Location: United Center, 1901 W Madison Street, Chicago, IL 60612
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. CT
Broadcast: ESPN+ / CHSN (Chicago) / TSN2 (Montreal) / WGN Radio 720
Team Records & Recent Form
Montreal Canadiens (1-1-0): Split their first two games, including a 5–2 win over Detroit and a 4–2 loss to Toronto. Montreal finished last season 40-31-11, ranking 17th in goals scored (243) and 18th in goals allowed (252).
Chicago Blackhawks (0-1-1): Dropped their opener in overtime to Boston (4–3) after a regulation loss to Pittsburgh. Chicago finished last season 25-46-11, ranking 28th in goals scored (224) and 31st in goals allowed (292).
Recent Form (last 5 games, including preseason):
Canadiens: W–L–W–L–W
Blackhawks: OTL–L–L–L–L
Injury Report
Canadiens: Kirby Dach (knee), Patrik Laine (finger), Sam Montembeault (groin), and Carey Price (knee) all listed as probable for season start.
Blackhawks: Jason Dickinson (wrist), Laurent Brossoit (knee), and Lukas Reichel (undisclosed) all probable.
Key Player Matchups
Connor Bedard (CHI) vs. Nick Suzuki (MTL): Bedard recorded a two-point game (1G, 1A) vs. Boston and has points in both games this season. Suzuki anchors Montreal’s top line and is key in neutralizing Bedard’s creativity.
Teuvo Teravainen (CHI) vs. Cole Caufield (MTL): Teravainen has 11 points in his last 10 games vs. Montreal, while Caufield’s scoring touch is vital for Montreal’s offense.
Goaltending: Arvid Soderblom (CHI) vs. Sam Montembeault (MTL). Soderblom made 29 saves in Boston, while Montembeault is expected to start after returning from a groin issue.
Series History
Recent dominance: Chicago is 16-5-3 in their last 24 vs. Montreal, earning points in 10 of their last 13 at United Center (9-3-1).
Last season: Canadiens and Blackhawks split their two meetings.
Betting Trends:
Canadiens went 17-21-6 on the road last season.
Blackhawks were 15-20-6 at home last season.
4 of the last 6 meetings have gone Over 6 goals.
Bedard has an assist in each of his four career games vs. Montreal.
Summary
Chicago’s Centennial Home Opener adds emotional weight, but Montreal enters with more balance and depth. Bedard and Teravainen headline Chicago’s attack, while Suzuki, Caufield, and Montembeault lead Montreal. Expect a spirited, high-event game with special teams and goaltending as swing factors. Montreal’s depth gives them the edge, but Chicago’s home-ice energy makes this a potential nail-biter.
Game Odds
Montreal Canadiens – 162
Chicago Blackhawks 6.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, October 10, 2025
