Game Details
Puckdrop is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET.
Venue: Bell Centre, 1000 Rue de la Gauchetière O, Montréal, QC H3B 4W5, Canada. This iconic arena, opened in 1996 with a seating capacity of 21,105 for hockey, is the home of the Montreal Canadiens and known for its electric atmosphere, passionate fans, and history of hosting memorable games. Located in downtown Montreal, it features modern amenities like high-definition video boards and is notorious for its intimidating environment for visiting teams, potentially amplifying the Canadiens’ home-ice advantage in this Atlantic Division matchup.
Recent Team Forms
The Canadiens are on a hot streak, extending their point run, while the Panthers have alternated wins and losses but remain competitive. Here’s a breakdown of their last five games (most recent first):
Florida Panthers (2-3 in last 5; streak: L1):
Loss 1-4 vs. Toronto (Jan 6; outshot 35-28, power play 0-for-4).
Win 2-1 vs. Colorado (Jan 4; Spencer Knight 32 saves in low-scoring win).
Loss 1-5 vs. NY Rangers (Jan 2; defensive breakdown allowed 5 goals).
Win 4-3 OT at Tampa Bay (Dec 30; comeback with 2 third-period goals).
Loss 2-4 vs. Carolina (Dec 28; poor start, allowed 3 in first period). Florida has averaged 2.0 goals per game in losses but 3.0 in wins, allowing 3.4 overall. Road form is middling (2-3 in last 5 away), with a struggling power play at 18.2% league-wide.
Montreal Canadiens (4-0-1 in last 5; streak: W3):
Win 4-1 vs. Calgary (Jan 7; Jacob Fowler 28 saves, Alexandre Texier goal and 2 assists).
Win 4-3 OT vs. Dallas (Jan 4; comeback OT winner extended point streak).
Win 2-0 vs. St. Louis (Jan 3; shutout with 32 saves from Samuel Montembeault).
Win 7-5 vs. Carolina (Jan 1; high-scoring thriller, 7 different scorers).
OT Loss 3-4 at Vancouver (Dec 30; earned point despite late collapse). Montreal has averaged 4.2 goals per game in the streak while allowing 2.6, with strong home form (3-0 in last 3 at Bell Centre). Their power play ranks top-10 at 24.5%.
Series History
The Canadiens hold a historical edge in this Original Six vs. expansion rivalry, leading all-time 83-50-12-5 in 150 regular-season meetings. However, the Panthers have won 6 of the last 10, with an average total of 5.9 goals per game.
Previous Meeting (2025-26 Season): None yet; last was April 1, 2025 – Canadiens 3-2 (at Bell Centre). Montreal rallied with 2 third-period goals.
Other Recent Games: March 30, 2025 – Canadiens 4-2; December 30, 2025 – Canadiens 3-2; April 7, 2025 – Panthers 3-2 OT. The series features close contests (average margin 1.8 goals in last 5), with the under hitting in 7 of 10. Home teams are 7-3 in recent H2H, and Montreal has won 6 straight as underdogs against Florida.
Montreal looks to extend their recent success, while Florida aims to build on road wins.
Injury Report
Injuries have impacted both teams’ depth, particularly the Panthers’ forward group. Updates as of January 8, 2026 (morning report; subject to change at puck drop):
Florida Panthers:
Aleksander Barkov (C): Out – Lower Body (indefinite; captain sidelined since early January, major loss for faceoffs and two-way play).
Tomas Nosek (LW): Out – Undisclosed (IR; depth forward out indefinitely).
Cole Schwindt (RW): Out – Undisclosed (IR; minor league recall sidelined).
Jonah Gadjovich (LW): Out – Undisclosed (IR; enforcer role affected).
Dmitry Kulikov (D): Out – Upper Body (surgery; out at least a month). The Panthers’ offense is depleted without Barkov, forcing reliance on Sam Reinhart and Matthew Tkachuk.
Montreal Canadiens:
Josh Anderson (RW): Day-to-Day – Upper Body (questionable; if out, hurts physical presence; missed practice Jan 7).
Kirby Dach (C): Out – Foot (fracture; LTIR, out until late January; key center absent since November).
Jake Evans (C): Out – Lower Body (IR; expected back late January; impacts penalty kill). The Canadiens’ forward depth is tested, but core like Cole Caufield remains intact.
Key Player Matchups
With injuries looming, this game highlights scoring threats against defensive anchors in a projected high-energy affair.
Sam Reinhart (FLA, C/RW) vs. Mike Matheson (MTL, D): Reinhart leads Florida with 23 goals and 46 points; Matheson must shadow his slot presence. Reinhart’s power-play prowess (10 PPG) could test Montreal’s PK.
Cole Caufield (MTL, RW) vs. Aaron Ekblad (FLA, D): Caufield (21 goals) thrives on one-timers; Ekblad’s size and shot-blocking (averaging 22+ minutes) could limit him, especially with Barkov out.
Matthew Tkachuk (FLA, LW) vs. Kaiden Guhle (MTL, D): Tkachuk (23 goals) brings physicality; Guhle’s mobility could counter his agitation style.
Goaltending: Spencer Knight (FLA, .905 SV%) vs. Samuel Montembeault (MTL, .912 SV%) – expect a goaltender’s duel.
Betting Trends
Florida Panthers: 20-22 ATS overall; 9-11 ATS on the road. Unders in 6 of last 10, and as favorites, 12-8 SU but 10-10 ATS. 2-3 ATS in last 5.
Montreal Canadiens: 22-21 ATS; 12-8 ATS at home. Overs in 7 of last 10, but as underdogs, 10-14 SU and 12-12 ATS. 4-0-1 ATS in last 5.
Head-to-Head Trends: Under in 7 of last 10 (avg. 5.9 goals); Panthers 6-4 SU in last 10, but Canadiens 6-0 as underdogs vs. Florida recently. Home teams 7-3 ATS.
League-Wide: NHL overs hit 52% in Atlantic matchups; underdogs like Montreal are 55% ATS this season.
Game Odds
Florida Panthers 6
Montreal Canadiens – 103
