NHL Game Preview: Minnesota Wild (33-14-10) vs. Nashville Predators (26-23-6)

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The Montreal Canadiens head to Canada Life Centre for their second and final meeting of the season against the Winnipeg Jets. The Canadiens, riding a four-game point streak and holding a strong playoff position, aim to sweep the series after a 4-3 shootout win on December 3, 2025. The Jets, nine points out of a playoff spot and struggling with a 4-3-3 record in their last 10, seek a pre-Olympic break boost at home. This Atlantic-Central clash features Montreal’s high-powered offense (3.43 GPG, 3rd in NHL) against Winnipeg’s middling attack (2.9 GPG, 24th), potentially leading to a lopsided affair if the Canadiens capitalize on the Jets’ defensive vulnerabilities (3.05 GAA, 23rd). With injuries impacting both sides, expect Montreal’s depth to shine in a game projected to be competitive but favoring the visitors.

Location: Canada Life Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba (capacity: 15,321; home of the Winnipeg Jets, known for its passionate fans and challenging atmosphere for visitors).

Face-Off Time: 7:00 p.m. ET (4:00 p.m. PT / 6:00 p.m. local time).

Broadcast: ESPN+, TSN 690, 98.5 FM (Canadiens radio), SN (local Jets), RDS (local Canadiens).

Recent Team Forms

Canadiens: On a four-game point streak (3-0-1), including a 4-3 OT loss to Minnesota on February 2. They rank 3rd in goals per game (3.43) but 18th in goals against (3.25), showing offensive firepower but defensive lapses. Key wins: Blowout of Colorado and tight victories over Buffalo and Vegas. Form: L (OT) 3-4 @ MIN, W 7-3 vs COL, W 5-2 vs BUF, W 4-3 OT vs VGK, W 3-2 vs FLA (averaging 4.4 GPG scored, 3.2 GPG allowed).

Jets: 4-3-3 in their last 10, including a 2-1 loss to Dallas on February 2. They rank 24th in goals per game (2.9) and 23rd in goals against (3.05), struggling offensively after last season’s Presidents’ Trophy win. Form: L 1-2 vs DAL, W 2-1 vs FLA, L 3-4 OT vs DET, W 4-3 vs MTL, L 2-5 vs TOR (averaging 2.4 GPG scored, 3.0 GPG allowed).

Injury Report

Canadiens:

Out: Patrik Laine (RW, Abdomen – long term, expected back early March), Alex Newhook (C, Ankle – long term, expected back early March).

Day-to-Day: Alexandre Texier (LW, Lower Body – questionable for February 4).

Jets:

Out: Neal Pionk (D, Lower Body – week-to-week, expected back after Olympics), Colin Miller (D, Knee – week-to-week, expected back after Olympics), Haydn Fleury (D, Upper Body – week-to-week, expected back after Olympics), Seth Jones (D, IR-LT), Tomas Nosek (F, Out).

Day-to-Day: Kirill Marchenko (RW, Illness), Dante Fabbro (D, Lower Body).

Key Player Matchups

Cole Caufield (Canadiens RW) vs. Kyle Connor (Jets LW): Caufield (team-leading 32 goals) exploits Jets’ perimeter D; Connor (25 goals) counters with speed.

Nick Suzuki (Canadiens C) vs. Mark Scheifele (Jets C): Suzuki (50% chance of point) vs. Scheifele (0.57 GPG). Suzuki drives play; Scheifele leads Jets’ attack.

Lane Hutson (Canadiens D) vs. Vladislav Namestnikov (Jets F): Hutson’s rookie impact (defensive pairings) vs. Namestnikov’s versatility.

Goaltending: Sam Montembeault (Canadiens) vs. Connor Hellebuyck (Jets): Montembeault (1-4-1 vs. Jets, 3.47 GAA) vs. Hellebuyck (Vezina winner last year, but .891 SV% this season). Hellebuyck edges, but form is key.

Series History

The Canadiens lead the all-time series 36-35-3-4. In recent years, Montreal is 4-2 in the last 6, including a 4-3 shootout win on December 3, 2025. The last 10 games are split 5-5, with an average margin of 2.9 goals. Home team is 6-4 in last 10. Over the last 5, totals have gone over in 3, averaging 6.6 goals per game.

Betting Trends

ATS: Canadiens 4-1 ATS in last 5 vs. Jets; Jets 3-7 ATS last 10 home games; Underdogs 5-5 ATS in last 10 H2H. Over/Under: Over in 6 of Canadiens’ last 9 games; Over in 4 of Jets’ last 5; Over in 4 of last 5 H2H.

Historical: Favorites 5-5 ATS in last 10 H2H; Home teams 4-6 SU in series.

Game Odds

Minnesota Wild               – 125

Nashville Predators        6.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Tuesday, February 3, 2026

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