NHL Game Preview: Colorado Avalanche (42-25-3) vs. Montreal Canadiens (33-27-8)

The Colorado Avalanche and Montreal Canadiens are set to face off at Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at 5:08 PM MT. This matchup features two teams in strong form, with the Avalanche looking to solidify their playoff position in the Western Conference and the Canadiens fighting to maintain their hold on a Wild Card spot in the East.

Team Overview

Colorado Avalanche (42-25-3)

• Current Form: The Avalanche are on a roll, having won nine of their last 11 games (9-1-1). They are coming off a dominant 5-1 victory over the Ottawa Senators on Thursday, where Brock Nelson scored twice, and Cale Makar set a franchise record for power-play goals by a defenseman.
• Road Record: Colorado has been solid on the road, posting a 19-15-1 record this season.
• Key Players:
  • Nathan MacKinnon: Leads the NHL in points (105) and assists (77). MacKinnon has been a consistent offensive force and scored his 28th goal of the season against Ottawa.
  • Cale Makar: The dynamic defenseman leads all NHL blueliners in points (81), goals (26), and assists (55). Makar has recorded 10 points in eight career games against Montreal.
  • Brock Nelson: Scored his first two goals as an Avalanche player in the win over Ottawa, bringing his season total to 22.
• Goaltending:
  • Mackenzie Blackwood is expected to start. Blackwood has been reliable, allowing just one goal in regulation in his last outing against Montreal, though he lost in a shootout.

Montreal Canadiens (33-27-8)

• Current Form: The Canadiens have been competitive, earning points in nine of their last 10 games (6-1-3). They are coming off a 4-3 overtime loss to the New York Islanders on Thursday, where Brendan Gallagher tied the game late in the third period before Bo Horvat scored the OT winner.
• Home Record: Montreal has been strong at home, boasting an 18-12-4 record at Bell Centre.
• Key Players:
  • Nick Suzuki: Leads the team with 71 points (21 goals, 50 assists) and has been a consistent playmaker all season.
  • Cole Caufield: The Canadiens’ leading goal scorer with 33 goals, Caufield is a constant threat in the offensive zone.
  • Lane Hutson: The rookie defenseman has been a revelation, leading all NHL rookies in points (53) and assists (48).
• Goaltending:
  • Sam Montembeault is expected to start. Montembeault has been solid this season and will need to be sharp against Colorado’s high-powered offense.

Head-to-Head Matchup

• Season Series: This is the second and final meeting between the two teams this season. The Canadiens won the first matchup 2-1 in a shootout on January 4 in Denver.
• Historical Record: The Avalanche have a 63-74-15-1 all-time record against the Canadiens but have struggled on the road in this matchup, going 22-45-10-0 in Montreal.
• Key Stats:
  • Colorado averages 3.3 goals per game, ranking fourth in the NHL, while allowing 2.6 goals per game.
  • Montreal averages 3.18 goals per game but concedes 2.9 goals per game.
  • The Avalanche’s power play ranks 10th in the league, while the Canadiens’ penalty kill is ranked 12th.

Projected Lineups

Colorado Avalanche:

• Forwards:
  • MacKinnon – Rantanen – Lehkonen
  • Nelson – Colton – Nichushkin
  • Kiviranta – Newhook – O’Connor
  • Malinski – Meyers – Nieto
• Defense:
  • Toews – Makar
  • Byram – Johnson
  • Hunt – Malinski
• Goaltender: Mackenzie Blackwood (expected starter)

Montreal Canadiens:

• Forwards:
  • Suzuki – Caufield – Roy
  • Gallagher – Monahan – Anderson
  • Dach – Dvorak – Armia
  • Pezzetta – Evans – Pitlick
• Defense:
  • Matheson – Savard
  • Hutson – Barron
  • Harris – Kovacevic
• Goaltender: Sam Montembeault (expected starter)

Injury Report

Colorado Avalanche:

• Gabriel Landeskog (knee): Out.
• Josh Manson (upper body): Out.
• Tucker Poolman (head): Out.
• Samuel Girard (lower body): Day-to-day.

Montreal Canadiens:

• Kirby Dach (knee): Out.
• Kaiden Guhle (quadriceps): Out.

Storylines to Watch

1. Playoff Implications: The Avalanche are battling for second place in the Central Division, while the Canadiens are clinging to the final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference. Every point matters for both teams.
2. Cale Makar’s Dominance: Makar continues to rewrite the record books for defensemen. Can Montreal’s defense contain his offensive impact?
3. Montreal’s Rookie Sensation: Lane Hutson has been a standout for the Canadiens. How will he fare against Colorado’s elite forwards?
4. Goaltending Duel: Blackwood and Montembeault will play pivotal roles in determining the outcome of this game.