Puck drop is scheduled for 8:00 PM ET / 7:00 PM CT
Venue: Xcel Energy Center, Saint Paul, Minnesota

Venue & Game Context

Xcel Energy Center hosts a matchup between two teams with very different trajectories:

Minnesota is surging toward playoff positioning, boasting one of the league’s strongest home records and a top‑tier defensive structure.

Seattle enters with a sub‑.500 record and fading postseason hopes, struggling to generate consistent offense and losing key special‑teams battles.

The Wild’s combination of home‑ice advantage, elite goaltending, and structured five‑on‑five play creates a steep challenge for a Kraken team that has struggled on the road.

Team Records & Recent Form

Minnesota Wild (44‑21‑12)

Last 10: 7‑2‑1

Goals For: 248

Goals Against: 215

Home Record: 25‑9‑6

Power Play: 22.8%

Penalty Kill: 83.4%

Recent Game: 4–2 win over Detroit; strong defensive performance and balanced scoring.

Minnesota is one of the hottest teams in the West, with elite defensive metrics and a top‑six forward group producing at playoff pace.

Seattle Kraken (32‑33‑11)

Last 10: 3‑5‑2

Goals For: 207

Goals Against: 238

Road Record: 13‑19‑6

Power Play: 17.9%

Penalty Kill: 78.1%

Recent Game: 3–2 loss to Winnipeg; competitive but unable to finish scoring chances.

Seattle’s lack of scoring depth and declining defensive structure have been season‑long issues.

Injury Report

Minnesota Wild

Jared Spurgeon — Out (back)

Marcus Foligno — Day‑to‑day (lower body)

Jonas Brodin — Day‑to‑day (illness)

Even with injuries, Minnesota’s blue‑line depth remains one of the league’s strongest.

Seattle Kraken

Andre Burakovsky — Out (upper body)

Jaden Schwartz — Day‑to‑day (lower body)

Justin Schultz — Out (undisclosed)

Seattle’s injuries directly impact their top‑six scoring and power‑play structure.

Key Player Matchups

Kirill Kaprizov (MIN) vs. Matty Beniers (SEA)

Kaprizov: 39 G, 47 A — elite finisher, dominant in transition.

Beniers: 18 G, 32 A — improving but inconsistent in high‑danger creation.

Kaprizov is a matchup nightmare for Seattle’s defense.

Joel Eriksson Ek (MIN) vs. Yanni Gourde (SEA)

Eriksson Ek: 28 G, 30 A — elite two‑way center, drives possession.

Gourde: 12 G, 25 A — strong defensively but limited offensive ceiling.

Minnesota’s center depth is a major advantage.

Goaltending: Filip Gustavsson (MIN) vs. Joey Daccord (SEA)

Gustavsson:

29‑14‑6, .916 SV%, 2.41 GAA

Excellent rebound control and home‑ice numbers.

Daccord:

17‑18‑5, .907 SV%, 2.89 GAA

Solid but often overworked behind Seattle’s defensive lapses.

Clear edge: Minnesota.

Series History

Minnesota leads the season series 2–1.

Wild have won 6 of the last 8 meetings.

Seattle struggles with Minnesota’s forecheck and physicality.

Statistical Profile & Trends

Minnesota Wild

Top‑10 defense in goals allowed.

7‑2‑1 last 10 games.

Elite home metrics: strong shot suppression and high‑danger chance control.

Balanced scoring across top three lines.

Seattle Kraken

Bottom‑10 offense (207 goals).

3‑5‑2 last 10 games.

Road struggles: low scoring, high goals against.

Special teams disadvantage in both PP and PK.

Betting Trends

Minnesota is 8‑2 at home in their last 10.

Seattle is 2‑8 ATS vs. teams with .600+ win percentage.

Wild games trend Under due to defensive structure and Gustavsson’s consistency.

Kraken games trend Over on the road due to defensive breakdowns.

Game Odds

Seattle Kraken                  5.5

Minnesota Wild               – 250

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, April 6, 2026

Puck drop is scheduled for 8:30 PM ET / 7:30 PM CT
Venue: American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas

Venue & Game Context

Dallas returns home to one of the league’s most favorable environments, where they’ve built a 24‑9‑5 home record behind elite depth scoring and structured defensive play. Calgary enters in a transitional season, mathematically alive but realistically outside the playoff picture, and struggling to generate consistent offense.

This matchup pits a top‑tier Western Conference contender against a Flames team that has shown flashes but lacks the roster stability to compete with elite clubs over 60 minutes.

Team Records & Recent Form

Dallas Stars (45‑20‑12)

Last 10: 6‑3‑1

Goals For: 268

Goals Against: 225

Home Record: 24‑9‑5

Power Play: 23.9%

Penalty Kill: 82.7%

Recent Game: 4–2 loss to Colorado; defensive breakdowns but strong underlying metrics.

Dallas remains one of the NHL’s most balanced teams, ranking top‑10 in goals scored, goals allowed, and special teams.

Calgary Flames (32‑36‑8)

Last 10: 4‑5‑1

Goals For: 218

Goals Against: 252

Road Record: 14‑20‑4

Power Play: 18.4%

Penalty Kill: 77.9%

Recent Game: 3–1 loss to Anaheim; scoring drought continues.

Calgary’s defensive structure has eroded, and their offense lacks a consistent finishing threat.

Injury Report

Dallas Stars

Miro Heiskanen — Day‑to‑day (upper body)

Radek Faksa — Out (lower body)

Calgary Flames

Andrew Mangiapane — Out (upper body)

Oliver Kylington — Out (personal reasons)

Dallas’ blue‑line depth softens the Heiskanen absence; Calgary losing Mangiapane removes one of their few reliable two‑way wingers.

Key Player Matchups

Jason Robertson (DAL) vs. Nazem Kadri (CGY)

Robertson: 34 G, 48 A — elite shooter with strong possession metrics.

Kadri: 22 G, 37 A — Calgary’s most competitive forward but inconsistent finishing.

Robertson’s line has a significant edge in shot quality and zone time.

Roope Hintz (DAL) vs. Jonathan Huberdeau (CGY)

Hintz: 29 G, 40 A — speed-driven transition threat.

Huberdeau: 14 G, 39 A — playmaker struggling to generate high-danger chances.

Dallas’ top‑six is far more dynamic.

Goaltending: Jake Oettinger (DAL) vs. Jacob Markström (CGY)

Oettinger:

31‑15‑7, .914 SV%, 2.52 GAA

Excellent at home, strong rebound control.

Markström:

22‑23‑6, .903 SV%, 2.98 GAA

Capable of elite nights but inconsistent.

Goaltending leans Dallas, especially given team defensive support.

Series History

Dallas leads the season series 2–0.

Stars have won 5 of the last 7 meetings.

Calgary struggles with Dallas’ forecheck and neutral‑zone pressure.

Statistical Profile & Trends

Dallas Stars

Top‑10 offense and top‑10 defense.

6‑3‑1 last 10 games.

Strong home metrics: high shot share, low expected goals against.

Elite depth scoring across three lines.

Calgary Flames

Bottom‑third defense (252 GA).

4‑5‑1 last 10 games.

Offense ranks bottom‑10 in high-danger chances.

Penalty kill vulnerable vs. structured power plays.

Betting Trends

Dallas is 7‑3 ATS in their last 10 home games.

Calgary is 2‑8 ATS vs. teams with .600+ win percentage.

Flames road games trend Over due to defensive breakdowns.

Stars home games trend Under when Oettinger starts, but Calgary’s defensive issues push this toward a higher‑event profile.

Game Odds

Calgary Flames                 5.5
Dallas Stars                         – 245

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, April 6, 2026

Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET
Venue: Canadian Tire Centre, Ottawa, Ontario
Capacity: 18,652
Ice Surface: Standard NHL (200’ x 85’)
Broadcast: ESPN+ / TSN5 / Bally Sports Sun

Injury Report (Projected as of April 7, 2026)

Tampa Bay Lightning

D Mikhail Sergachev — OUT (knee, long‑term IR)

F Brandon Hagel — Questionable (upper body)

F Nick Paul — Probable (maintenance)

Ottawa Senators

F Josh Norris — OUT (shoulder)

D Thomas Chabot — Questionable (lower body)

G Anton Forsberg — OUT (groin)

Impact note: Ottawa’s blue‑line depth is stretched if Chabot cannot go, which directly affects their transition game and defensive zone exits.

Recent Team Form (Last 10 Games)

Tampa Bay Lightning: 7‑2‑1

Elite offensive efficiency (3.8 goals per game)

Power play clicking at 29%

Vasilevskiy rounding into playoff form

Ottawa Senators: 6‑3‑1

Much improved defensive structure

Tim Stützle driving top‑line production

Home ice has been a stabilizer (22‑12‑4 at home)

Key Player Matchups

Nikita Kucherov (TBL) vs. Tim Stützle (OTT)

Kucherov remains a top‑three NHL playmaker, driving Tampa’s elite PP1.

Stützle’s speed and edge‑work create matchup problems, especially in transition.

Brayden Point (TBL) vs. Brady Tkachuk (OTT)

Point’s two‑way reliability vs. Tkachuk’s physicality and net‑front dominance.

Tkachuk’s ability to draw penalties could be a major factor.

Andrei Vasilevskiy (TBL) vs. Joonas Korpisalo (OTT)

Vasilevskiy: .917 SV% over last 10 starts

Korpisalo: .903 SV% but strong at home

Goaltending edge clearly favors Tampa Bay.

Victor Hedman (TBL) vs. Jakob Chychrun (OTT)

Hedman’s puck‑moving and defensive reads remain elite.

Chychrun’s shot generation from the point is Ottawa’s best blue‑line weapon.

Series History

Tampa Bay leads the all‑time series

2025‑26 season series: Lightning lead 2‑1

Tampa has won 7 of the last 10 meetings

Ottawa tends to play Tampa tighter at home (4‑4 in last 8 at Canadian Tire Centre)

Betting Trends

Tampa Bay Lightning

6‑1 last 7 vs. teams with winning records

5‑2 last 7 road games

Over is 4‑1 in their last 5 games

Ottawa Senators

5‑2 last 7 home games

4‑1 last 5 as home underdog

Under is 6‑3 in last 9 vs. Atlantic Division

Head‑to‑Head Trends

Favorite is 8‑3 in last 11 matchups

Over is 6‑2 in last 8 meetings

Game Odds

Tampa Bay Lightning      6.5

Ottawa Senators              – 125

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, April 6, 2026

Puck drop is scheduled for 8:00 PM ET
Venue: Enterprise Center, St. Louis, Missouri

Venue & Game Context

Enterprise Center hosts a matchup between two teams trending in opposite directions:

Colorado has already clinched a playoff berth and is pushing for the top seed in the Western Conference. Their +70 goal differential is among the best in the league.

St. Louis is fighting for a wild‑card spot, but their inconsistency—especially defensively—has kept them hovering around .500.

The Avalanche enter as one of the NHL’s most complete teams, while the Blues rely heavily on goaltending and opportunistic scoring.

Team Records & Recent Form

Colorado Avalanche (50‑16‑10)

Last 10: 7‑2‑1

Goals For: 285

Goals Against: 215

Road Record: 22‑11‑5

Power Play: 25.4%

Penalty Kill: 82.1%

Recent Game: 4–2 win over Dallas; top line dominated possession.

Colorado continues to roll, averaging 3.9 goals per game over their last 10.

St. Louis Blues (33‑31‑12)

Last 10: 4‑4‑2

Goals For: 224

Goals Against: 245

Home Record: 18‑13‑6

Power Play: 19.2%

Penalty Kill: 78.4%

Recent Game: 3–2 OT loss to Winnipeg; defensive lapses remain an issue.

The Blues are scrappy but lack the scoring depth to match elite teams.

Injury Report

Colorado Avalanche

Valeri Nichushkin — Out (lower body)

Samuel Girard — Day‑to‑day (upper body)

Artturi Lehkonen — Day‑to‑day (illness)

St. Louis Blues

Pavel Buchnevich — Out (upper body)

Justin Faulk — Day‑to‑day (lower body)

Colorado’s depth mitigates their injuries; St. Louis losing Buchnevich is a major blow to their top‑six scoring.

Key Player Matchups

Nathan MacKinnon (COL) vs. Robert Thomas (STL)

MacKinnon: 42 G, 68 A — MVP‑caliber season, elite transition driver.

Thomas: 25 G, 54 A — Blues’ most reliable playmaker.

MacKinnon’s speed and zone‑entry dominance create matchup nightmares for St. Louis.

Mikko Rantanen (COL) vs. Jordan Kyrou (STL)

Rantanen: 38 G, 55 A — elite finisher with size advantage.

Kyrou: 27 G, 31 A — streaky but dangerous in open ice.

Rantanen’s physicality and board play give him the edge.

Goaltending: Alexandar Georgiev (COL) vs. Jordan Binnington (STL)

Georgiev:

34‑14‑6, .912 SV%, 2.55 GAA

Strong behind a puck‑dominant team.

Binnington:

27‑22‑8, .904 SV%, 2.98 GAA

Capable of stealing games, but inconsistent.

Advantage: Colorado, unless Binnington delivers a peak performance.

Series History

Colorado leads the season series 2–1.

Avalanche have won 7 of the last 10 meetings.

St. Louis struggles to contain Colorado’s speed and forecheck.

Statistical Profile & Trends

Colorado Avalanche

Top‑5 offense in goals per game.

+70 goal differential — elite tier.

7‑2‑1 last 10 games.

Consistent shot‑share dominance (54%+ Corsi).

St. Louis Blues

Middle‑tier offense, bottom‑third defense.

4‑4‑2 last 10 games.

Penalty kill vulnerable vs. elite power plays.

Heavily reliant on Binnington to stay competitive.

Betting Trends

Avalanche are 7‑3 ATS in their last 10.

Blues are 3‑7 ATS vs. teams with .600+ win percentage.

Colorado games trend Over due to offensive pace.

St. Louis games trend Under at home due to Binnington’s workload.

Game Odds

Colorado Avalanche       – 155

St. Louis Blues                   6.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, April 6, 2026

Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET
Venue: PNC Arena, Raleigh, North Carolina

Venue & Game Context

The Bruins travel to Raleigh attempting to halt a three‑game losing streak, while the Hurricanes look to defend one of the NHL’s strongest home-ice records at 28‑10‑2. Carolina enters with a +45 goal differential, one of the best in the league, and Boston arrives with a strong but inconsistent road profile at 15‑16‑8.

Team Records & Recent Form

Boston Bruins (43‑26‑9)

Last 10: 6‑3‑1

Goals For: 255

Goals Against: 237

Power Play: 23.71%

Recent Game: 2–1 OT loss to Philadelphia; offense generated just 1 goal on 19 shots.

Road Record: 15‑16‑8

Carolina Hurricanes (49‑22‑6)

Last 10: 7‑3‑0

Goals For: 270

Goals Against: 225

Power Play: 57 PPG (Top‑5 in NHL)

Recent Game: 6–3 loss to Ottawa; defensive lapses but still one of the league’s most balanced teams.

Home Record: 28‑10‑2

Injury Report

Carolina Hurricanes

Pyotr Kochetkov: Out (hip)

Jordan Staal: Day‑to‑day (undisclosed)

Jordan Martinook: Day‑to‑day (undisclosed)

Boston Bruins

No injuries listed

Key Player Matchups

David Pastrnak (BOS) vs. Sebastian Aho (CAR)

Pastrnak: 29 G, 67 A — elite dual‑threat creator.

Aho: 26 G, 52 A — Carolina’s engine at both ends.

Pavel Zacha (BOS) vs. Logan Stankoven (CAR)

Zacha: 7 G, 6 A in last 10 — trending upward.

Stankoven: 5 G, 3 A in last 10 — emerging scoring threat.

Goaltending: Jeremy Swayman (BOS) vs. Frederik Andersen (CAR)

Swayman (career):

131‑79‑26, .910 SV%, 2.61 GAA

146 quality starts (62.4%)

Andersen (last game):

Allowed 5 goals on 30 shots (.833 SV%)

Swayman enters as the more stable option, while Andersen’s recent form raises questions.

Series History

This is the third meeting of the season.

Hurricanes won the most recent matchup 3–1.

Statistical Profile & Trends

Boston Bruins

Top‑10 offense (255 goals).

High penalty volume: 362 total penalties (2nd most in NHL).

Strong defensive structure: 2.4 GA per game over last 10.

Carolina Hurricanes

Elite home team: 28‑10‑2.

High‑octane offense: averaging 4 goals per game over last 10.

Balanced scoring: 213 even‑strength goals + top‑tier power play.

Betting Trends

Hurricanes: 7‑3 last 10, averaging 4 goals per game.

Bruins: 6‑3‑1 last 10, allowing just 2.4 goals per game.

Carolina home dominance vs. Boston road inconsistency is the defining trend.

Game Odds

Boston Bruins                    6.5

Carolina Hurricanes        – 185

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, April 6, 2026

Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET

Venue: Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey

Broadcast: MSGSN / NBC Sports Philadelphia / ESPN+

Venue Context

Prudential Center is a fast‑ice, forecheck‑friendly building, offering:

Strong home‑ice energy for New Jersey

Favorable conditions for speed‑driven teams

Historically higher‑than‑average scoring in divisional matchups

This environment slightly favors the Devils, whose transition game and puck‑possession style thrive at home.

Injury Report

Philadelphia Flyers

Travis Konecny — Day‑to‑day (upper body)

Sean Couturier — OUT (back)

Cam Atkinson — OUT (neck)

Jamie Drysdale — Day‑to‑day (lower body)

Felix Sandström — OUT (groin)

Philadelphia enters the matchup with significant absences at forward and on defense, but their core structure remains intact.

New Jersey Devils

Jack Hughes — Day‑to‑day (shoulder)

Dougie Hamilton — OUT (pectoral)

Timo Meier — Day‑to‑day (illness)

Jonas Siegenthaler — OUT (ankle)

Nico Daws — OUT (knee)

New Jersey is missing key pieces at center and on the blue line, but their offensive depth remains strong.

Recent Team Form

Philadelphia (Last 10 Games):

5‑3‑2 record

3.10 goals per game

2.80 goals allowed per game

Power play: 19.2%

Penalty kill: 83.7%

The Flyers are playing structured, physical hockey with strong goaltending.

New Jersey (Last 10 Games):

4‑6‑0 record

3.40 goals per game

3.70 goals allowed per game

Power play: 24.1%

Penalty kill: 78.2%

The Devils remain dangerous offensively but inconsistent defensively.

Key Player Matchups

Owen Tippett (PHI) vs. Jesper Bratt (NJD)

Tippett: 29 G, 31 A, elite north‑south attacker

Bratt: 27 G, 49 A, dynamic playmaker

Edge: Even — Both drive their team’s top scoring lines.

Morgan Frost (PHI) vs. Nico Hischier (NJD)

Frost: 15 G, 38 A, improving two‑way center

Hischier: 22 G, 35 A, elite defensive forward

Edge: New Jersey — Hischier’s two‑way game is a major factor.

Goaltending: Samuel Ersson (PHI) vs. Vitek Vanecek (NJD)

Ersson: .909 SV%, 2.78 GAA

Vanecek: .902 SV%, 3.05 GAA

Edge: Philadelphia — Ersson has been more consistent and benefits from a stronger defensive structure.

Series History

Recent meetings:

Jan 20, 2026: Flyers 3–2 (PHI win)

Dec 12, 2025: Devils 5–3 (NJD win)

Mar 22, 2025: Devils 4–2 (NJD win)

Jan 11, 2025: Flyers 3–1 (PHI win)

Nov 30, 2024: Devils 4–3 OT (NJD win)

Devils lead 3–2 in the last 5 meetings.

Betting Trends

Philadelphia Trends

6‑4 in last 10

Unders hit in 6 of last 10

Strong road penalty kill

New Jersey Trends

4‑6 in last 10

Overs hit in 7 of last 10

Defense allowing 3.7 goals per game recently

Matchup Trend

Last 4 meetings have been one‑goal games

Three of the last five have gone Over

Game Odds

Philadelphia Flyers         5.5

New Jersey Devils            – 125

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, April 6, 2026

Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET

Venue: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan

Broadcast: Bally Sports Detroit / Bally Sports Ohio / ESPN+

Venue Context

Little Caesars Arena is a fast‑ice, momentum‑driven building, offering:

Strong home‑ice energy for Detroit

Favorable conditions for transition‑heavy teams

A crowd that amplifies physical play and forechecking pressure

This environment slightly favors Detroit, whose speed‑and‑skill identity thrives at home.

Injury Report

Columbus Blue Jackets

Patrik Laine — OUT (upper body)

Adam Boqvist — OUT (lower body)

Kent Johnson — Day‑to‑day (illness)

Jake Bean — OUT (shoulder)

Elvis Merzļikins — Day‑to‑day (lower body)

Columbus enters the matchup with significant defensive injuries and uncertainty in goal.

Detroit Red Wings

Dylan Larkin — Day‑to‑day (lower body)

Moritz Seider — OUT (upper body)

Lucas Raymond — Day‑to‑day (illness)

Andrew Copp — OUT (knee)

Ville Husso — OUT (groin)

Detroit is missing key pieces at center and on the blue line, but their scoring depth remains intact.

Recent Team Form

Columbus (Last 10 Games):

6‑3‑1 record

3.20 goals per game

2.90 goals allowed per game

Power play: 21.4%

Penalty kill: 82.1%

Columbus is playing some of its most structured hockey of the season, driven by improved defensive zone exits and strong special teams.

Detroit (Last 10 Games):

5‑4‑1 record

3.40 goals per game

3.10 goals allowed per game

Power play: 23.8%

Penalty kill: 80.4%

Detroit remains dangerous offensively but has shown defensive inconsistency without Seider.

Key Player Matchups

Johnny Gaudreau (CBJ) vs. Alex DeBrincat (DET)

Gaudreau: 22 G, 48 A, elite playmaker

DeBrincat: 34 G, 32 A, high‑volume shooter

Edge: Even — Both drive offense in different ways.

Boone Jenner (CBJ) vs. Dylan Larkin (DET, if active)

Jenner: 26 G, 21 A, physical two‑way center

Larkin: 29 G, 41 A, elite transition threat

Edge: Detroit (if Larkin plays) — Larkin’s speed is a major factor.
Edge: Columbus (if Larkin sits) — Jenner’s physicality becomes more impactful.

Goaltending: Daniil Tarasov (CBJ) vs. Alex Lyon (DET)

Tarasov: .908 SV%, 2.91 GAA

Lyon: .912 SV%, 2.78 GAA

Edge: Slight to Detroit — Lyon has been more consistent at home.

Series History

Recent meetings:

Jan 19, 2026: Red Wings 4–3 OT (DET win)

Dec 7, 2025: Blue Jackets 3–2 (CBJ win)

Mar 22, 2025: Red Wings 5–2 (DET win)

Jan 11, 2025: Blue Jackets 4–1 (CBJ win)

Nov 30, 2024: Red Wings 3–2 (DET win)

Detroit leads 3–2 in the last 5 meetings.

Betting Trends

Columbus Trends

6‑4 in last 10

Unders hit in 6 of last 10

Strong road penalty kill

Detroit Trends

5‑5 in last 10

Overs hit in 7 of last 10

Home offense averaging 3.6 goals per game

Matchup Trend

Last 4 meetings have been one‑goal games

Three of the last five have gone Under

Game Odds

Columbus Blue Jackets                  6.5

Detroit Red Wings                           – 120

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, April 6, 2026

Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET

Venue: Bell Centre, Montréal, Québec

Broadcast: TSN / RDS / Bally Sports Florida / ESPN+

Venue Context

Bell Centre remains one of the NHL’s most intimidating, high‑energy home environments, offering:

Loud, momentum‑swinging crowd

Strong home‑ice officiating tendencies favoring Montréal’s aggressive forecheck

Fast ice that benefits speed‑driven teams

This environment strongly favors the Canadiens, who thrive on pace, transition pressure, and crowd‑driven surges.

Injury Report

Florida Panthers

Aleksander Barkov — Day‑to‑day (upper body)

Aaron Ekblad — OUT (lower body)

Sam Bennett — Day‑to‑day (illness)

Eetu Luostarinen — OUT (wrist)

Oliver Ekman‑Larsson — Day‑to‑day (lower body)

Florida enters the matchup with major concerns on defense and down the middle.

Montréal Canadiens

Cole Caufield — Day‑to‑day (lower body)

Juraj Slafkovský — OUT (upper body)

Kaiden Guhle — Day‑to‑day (illness)

Arber Xhekaj — OUT (shoulder)

Montréal is missing some scoring punch but remains structurally intact.

Recent Team Form

Florida (Last 10 Games):

4‑6‑0 record

2.70 goals per game

3.40 goals allowed per game

Power play: 16.7%

Penalty kill: 78.9%

Florida’s defensive structure has slipped without Ekblad, and scoring depth has been inconsistent.

Montréal (Last 10 Games):

7‑2‑1 record

3.60 goals per game

2.40 goals allowed per game

Power play: 23.5%

Penalty kill: 84.1%

Montréal is playing some of its best hockey of the season, driven by elite goaltending and strong 5‑on‑5 play.

Key Player Matchups

Matthew Tkachuk (FLA) vs. Nick Suzuki (MTL)

Tkachuk: 31 G, 44 A, physical play‑driver

Suzuki: 28 G, 52 A, elite two‑way center

Edge: Montréal — Suzuki’s two‑way consistency and line chemistry give him the advantage.

Sam Reinhart (FLA) vs. Cole Caufield (MTL, if active)

Reinhart: 34 G, 38 A, Panthers’ most reliable finisher

Caufield: 29 G, 31 A, elite shooter

Edge: Even — Depends on Caufield’s health.

Goaltending: Sergei Bobrovsky (FLA) vs. Samuel Montembeault (MTL)

Bobrovsky: .903 SV%, 2.98 GAA

Montembeault: .914 SV%, 2.62 GAA

Edge: Montréal — Montembeault has been steadier and benefits from a stronger defensive structure.

Series History

Recent meetings:

Jan 18, 2026: Canadiens 4–2 (MTL win)

Dec 5, 2025: Panthers 3–1 (FLA win)

Mar 22, 2025: Canadiens 5–3 (MTL win)

Jan 10, 2025: Canadiens 4–3 OT (MTL win)

Nov 30, 2024: Panthers 2–1 (FLA win)

Montréal leads 3–2 in the last 5 meetings.

Betting Trends

Florida Trends

3‑7 in last 10 road games

Unders hit in 6 of last 10

Struggling defensively without Ekblad

Montréal Trends

7‑3 in last 10 overall

5‑1 in last 6 home games

Overs hit in 6 of last 10

Matchup Trend

Home team has won 4 of last 5

Montréal averaging 3.8 goals per game vs. Florida in last 5

Game Odds

Florida Panthers               6.5

Montréal Canadiens       – 218

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, April 6, 2026