Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET
Venue: Bell Centre (Centre Bell), Montreal, Quebec
TV: ESPN+ / DSN (regional options)
This is an Atlantic Division Original Six rivalry matchup. Detroit is on the second half of a back-to-back after a home loss, while Montreal is rested at home.
Projected Lineups / Current Rosters
Red Wings (approximate):
Viktor Arvidsson – Dylan Larkin – Lucas Raymond
Michael Brandsegg-Nygard / Emmitt Finnie – Alex DeBrincat
Michael Rasmussen – Andrew Copp – Keegan Kolesar
Depth including Nate Danielson, Carter Mazur Defense: Albert Johansson / Moritz Seider; Ben Chiarot / Anton Johansson; Justin Faulk / William Wallinder / Axel Sandin-Pellikka Goaltenders: Daniil Tarasov (confirmed starter on the back-to-back) / John Gibson.
Canadiens (approximate):
Cole Caufield – Nick Suzuki – Juraj Slafkovský
Chris Kreider – Alex Newhook – Josh Anderson
Zachary Bolduc – Phillip Danault – Alexandre Texier
Depth including Florian Xhekaj, Jake Evans, Kirby Dach Defense: Lane Hutson – Noah Dobson / Alexandre Carrier; Mike Matheson – others; Arber Xhekaj depth Goaltenders: Jakub Dobes (projected) / Jacob Fowler (Samuel Montembeault out).
Injury / Status Reports
Red Wings:
J.T. Compher (LW, undisclosed) – IR (out until at least Oct. 13).
Mason Appleton (C, undisclosed) – IR (out until at least Oct. 13).
Marco Kasper (C, upper body) – IR (week-to-week / mid-to-late October).
Additional depth notes in some reports.
Canadiens:
Samuel Montembeault (G, lower body) – out 10–14 days.
Kaiden Guhle (D, groin) – IR (nearing return / mid-to-late October).
Ivan Demidov (RW, lower body) – IR (out until late October).
Oliver Kapanen (C, lower body) – day-to-day.
Bryce Pickford and others on non-roster IR.
Recent Team Forms
Red Wings (1-3-0): Slow start. Recent results include losses to the Rangers and Jets, a win over Ottawa, and a 6-3 home loss to Seattle on Friday (back-to-back). Offense has been inconsistent (~2.3–2.5 GF/G early); Alex DeBrincat and Lucas Raymond providing production. Special teams mixed; defense and structure issues in the latest loss. Road record still developing.
Canadiens (1-2-1): High-event start with defensive concerns. Results: win at Toronto, OT loss at Pittsburgh, losses to Carolina and Nashville (5-2). Scoring is present (~3.5 GF/G) led by Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield, but goals against are high (~4.75). Goaltending has been shaky early. Home record 0-2-0 so far; looking to stabilize.
Key Player Matchups
Dylan Larkin / Lucas Raymond / Alex DeBrincat vs. Canadiens defense (Hutson-Dobson, Matheson): Detroit’s top skill and shooting against Montreal’s mobile but injury-thinned blue line.
Nick Suzuki / Cole Caufield / Juraj Slafkovský vs. Red Wings defense (Seider, Faulk): Montreal’s high-end offense testing Detroit’s structure, especially with Seider’s heavy minutes.
Goaltending: Tarasov (making a start on the second of a back-to-back after limited prior action) vs. Dobes (primary option with Montembeault sidelined).
Special teams and transition: Both teams have shown vulnerability defensively early; faceoffs and puck management will matter in a rivalry atmosphere.
Series History
This is a classic Original Six rivalry. Montreal holds a strong all-time edge (roughly 298-211-96-9 in some long-term counts). Recent meetings have been competitive and often lower-to-moderate scoring, with each side taking wins in the prior season (e.g., Detroit shutouts and Montreal multi-goal victories). No 2026-27 meetings yet.
Betting Trends
Montreal is a clear home favorite, aided by Detroit’s back-to-back and backup goalie.
Game Odds
Detroit Red Wings 6.5
Montreal Canadiens – 183
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, October 9, 2026
