The Montreal Canadiens (21-12-6) will face the Carolina Hurricanes (24-12-3) in an Eastern Conference matchup. Puckdrop is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET.
It will take place at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, North Carolina, the home arena of the Hurricanes.
Broadcast options include ESPN+ for national coverage.
This is the first meeting between the teams this season.
Recent Team Forms
The Canadiens have won four of their last six games, showing offensive consistency with an average of 3.2 goals per game in that span.
Over their last 10, Montreal is 5-4-1, allowing 2.9 goals against while ranking high in power-play efficiency.
Their most recent win was a close contest, highlighting defensive improvements.
The Hurricanes are 7-2-1 in their last 10, averaging 3.5 goals per game and holding opponents to 2.6.
Carolina has a 3-2 record in their last five, with strong home performances where they’ve gone 21-2-3 when scoring three or more goals.
Their streak ended with a recent loss, but they remain potent offensively.
| Team | Last 5 Games | Streak | GPG (Last 10) | GA/G (Last 10) |
| Montreal Canadiens | W-L-W-OTL-W | W1 | 3.1 | 2.9 |
| Carolina Hurricanes | L-W-W-L-W | L1 | 3.5 | 2.6 |
Injury Report
The Canadiens are missing several key players, impacting their depth. Forward Kirby Dach is out long-term with a foot injury (on LTIR since Dec. 20).
Defenseman Kaiden Guhle (LTIR) and forward Jake Evans (IR) are also sidelined.
The Hurricanes have multiple absences, particularly on defense and in net. Defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere is day-to-day with a lower-body/groin injury.
Forward Seth Jarvis (out), defensemen Jaccob Slavin (out) and Charles-Alexis Legault (out), and goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov (IR, hip) are unavailable.
| Team | Player | Status | Injury/Details |
| Montreal Canadiens | Kirby Dach | Out (LTIR) | Foot |
| Montreal Canadiens | Kaiden Guhle | Out (LTIR) | Undisclosed |
| Montreal Canadiens | Jake Evans | Out (IR) | Undisclosed |
| Carolina Hurricanes | Shayne Gostisbehere | Day-to-Day | Lower Body/Groin |
| Carolina Hurricanes | Seth Jarvis | Out | Undisclosed |
| Carolina Hurricanes | Jaccob Slavin | Out | Undisclosed |
| Carolina Hurricanes | Charles-Alexis Legault | Out | Undisclosed |
| Carolina Hurricanes | Pyotr Kochetkov | Out (IR) | Hip |
Key Player Matchups
Injuries will force adjustments, but core stars will drive the action.
Nick Suzuki (Canadiens) vs. Sebastian Aho (Hurricanes): Suzuki (13 goals, 31 assists) anchors Montreal’s offense with playmaking, facing Aho’s two-way dominance (Hurricanes’ leader in points).
This center battle could control possession.
Cole Caufield (Canadiens) vs. Shayne Gostisbehere (Hurricanes): Caufield (19 goals, 20 assists) brings sniper threat, testing Gostisbehere (if available) on the blue line.
Jakub Dobes (Canadiens) vs. Boston Bussi (Hurricanes): With Kochetkov out, Bussi steps in for Carolina against Dobes, where goaltending depth could decide a low-scoring affair.
Carolina’s speed gives them edges, but Montreal’s scoring could exploit defensive gaps.
Series History
The Canadiens hold a historical advantage, with an all-time record of 80-41-7 against the Hurricanes in away games for Carolina (overall series favors Montreal).
However, Montreal is 6-16-3 in their last 25 meetings.
Carolina has won 4 of the last 6, including a 2-3 win on April 16, 2025.
At Lenovo Center, the Hurricanes have been strong recently.
Betting Trends
Carolina is 3-2 in their last 5 games and 0-5 ATS recently, while Montreal is 4-1 as road favorites of -151 to -200 but 9-42 as heavy underdogs.
The over has hit in 6 of the last 10 head-to-heads.
Game Odds
Montreal Canadiens 6.5
Carolina Hurricanes – 198
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Wednesday, December 31, 2025
