The Calgary Flames visit the Montreal Canadiens in an interconference matchup that pits a struggling Flames squad against a Canadiens team that’s been resilient at home despite injuries. Calgary looks to snap a potential skid after a lopsided loss, while Montreal aims to capitalize on their recent scoring surge and defensive tweaks. With both teams dealing with key absences, this game at Bell Centre could turn on special teams and goaltending, where Montreal holds a slight edge. Below is a thorough analysis of all critical elements.
Venue Location
The game will be played at Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec. This 21,105-seat arena has been the Canadiens’ home since 1996 and is renowned for its passionate fans, contributing to Montreal’s solid 12-6-3 home record this season.
Puckdrop is scheduled for 7:30 PM ET. The game will be streamed on ESPN+ and available on regional broadcasts, with radio coverage on TSN 690 for Canadiens fans and Sportsnet 960 for Flames supporters.
Recent Team Forms
Both teams have shown flashes of form, but Montreal enters with more consistency at home, while Calgary struggles on the road.
Calgary Flames: The Flames are 6-4-0 in their last 10 games, averaging 3.1 goals per game (mid-pack) while allowing 3.4 (bottom-10). They’ve gone 2-3-0 in their last five, capped by a 1-5 loss to Seattle on January 5. Power play: 18.2% (bottom-10), penalty kill: 76.4% (bottom-10). Key trend: Under in 5 of last 6 games, with defensive lapses in losses (allowing 5+ goals in three of last 10).
Montreal Canadiens: The Canadiens are 6-2-2 in their last 10, scoring 3.5 goals per game (top-10) but allowing 2.9 (solid). They’ve won 4 of their last 5 at home, including a 4-3 OT win over Dallas on January 4. Power play: 24.6% (top-10), penalty kill: 81.2% (mid-pack). Key trend: Over in 6 of last 9, with offensive bursts (4+ goals in five of last 10).
| Team | Last 10 Games | Last Game Result | Key Stat from Recent Form |
| Calgary Flames | 6-4-0 | L 1-5 vs. SEA | 2-3-0 in last 5; Under in 5 of 6; 3.1 GPG average |
| Montreal Canadiens | 6-2-2 | W 4-3 OT vs. DAL | 4-1-0 in last 5 home; Over in 6 of 9; 3.5 GPG average |
Injury Report
Injuries are a major factor, with both teams missing key contributors in scoring and defense.
Calgary Flames:
Devin Cooley (G): Day-to-Day (Illness) – Backup goalie; impacts depth if Vladar starts.
John Beecher (C): IR (Upper Body) – Estimated return January 19; secondary center out.
Jake Bean (D): IR (Undisclosed/Surgery) – Estimated return February 26; blue-line depth hit.
Sam Honzek (F): IR (Upper Body/Surgery) – Estimated return six months; young forward sidelined.
Zayne Parekh (D): IR (Upper Body) – Defensive prospect out.
Kevin Bahl (D): IR (Undisclosed) – Key defender absent.
Martin Pospisil (F): Out (Undisclosed) – No timetable; physical forward missing.
Montreal Canadiens:
Josh Anderson (F): Day-to-Day (Upper Body) – Power forward; game-time decision.
Jake Evans (C): IR (Lower Body) – Estimated return January 27; faceoff specialist out (4-6 weeks).
Kirby Dach (F): IR-LT (Foot) – Long-term; young center sidelined.
Alex Newhook (F): Out (Ankle) – Scoring winger absent.
J. Anderson (F): Out (Upper Body) – Duplicate to Josh; physical presence hit.
Kaiden Guhle (D): Probable (Undisclosed) – Back at practice; top defenseman expected to play.
Player Matchups
With injuries depleting both lineups, the focus shifts to star forwards and goaltending, where Montreal’s depth could shine.
Mikael Backlund (CGY) vs. Nick Suzuki (MTL): Backlund leads Calgary with points in limited games (veteran center, strong faceoffs at 54%), facing Suzuki (Canadiens’ captain, team-high assists and points). This center matchup could control neutral-zone play, with Suzuki exploiting Calgary’s bottom-10 PK.
Blake Coleman (CGY) vs. Cole Caufield (MTL): Coleman paces Flames in goals (physical winger), against Caufield’s sniping (top Canadiens goal-scorer, deadly on PP). Caufield’s speed tests Calgary’s blue line, weakened by absences.
Matt Coronato (CGY) vs. Juraj Slafkovsky (MTL): Coronato (young forward, assists leader) vs. Slafkovsky (power forward, physical presence). Wing battle could spark odd-man rushes, favoring Montreal’s home forecheck.
Dan Vladar (CGY) vs. Sam Montembeault (MTL): Vladar (.895 SV%) steps in if Cooley out, against Montembeault (.910 SV%). Goaltending duel tilts to Montreal, given Calgary’s 3.48 GAA.
Bench: Flames’ youth (e.g., Pospisil out, so others step up) vs. Canadiens’ depth (e.g., Dach out, but Newhook absent hurts).
Series History
The Montreal Canadiens hold a historical edge in the all-time regular-season series, leading approximately 78-70 in 148 games (Montreal wins 78, including playoffs). However, Calgary has been competitive recently, posting a 4-3-3 record in the last 10 head-to-heads with a goal differential of 0. In those games, averages are close (Calgary 3.2 GPG, Montreal 3.2), but Flames have won 4 of the last 5 in Montreal. The teams split last season, with low-scoring affairs (under 5 goals in 6 of 10). Overall, Montreal leads playoffs 1-1 series.
Betting Trends
Calgary: 20-22 ATS overall (10-10 ATS road); Under in 5 of last 6; 6-1 ATS/SU in last 7 vs. Montreal; 7-3 ATS as underdogs.
Montreal: 22-20 ATS overall (12-9 ATS home); Over in 6 of last 9; 3-7 SU in last 10 vs. Calgary; 5-5 ATS as favorites; Under in 4 of last 6 home games.
| Category | Calgary | Montreal |
| ATS Overall | 20-22 | 22-20 |
| ATS Last 10 | 6-4 | 6-4 |
| O/U Overall | 20-22 | 22-20 |
| O/U Last 10 | 4-6 | 6-4 |
Game Odds
Calgary Flames 6.5
Montreal Canadiens – 155
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Tuesday, January 6, 2026
