Game Details
Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET
Venue: TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts (home game for Boston Bruins)
Broadcast: NHL Network, ESPN+, NESN, TSN2, RDS (regional and streaming options available)
This storied Original Six rivalry renews with both teams in playoff contention. The Bruins, riding a strong homestand, aim for a perfect run, while the Canadiens seek to rebound from a recent loss and exploit Boston’s inconsistencies. Expect intense physicality and goaltending battles in this Atlantic Division clash
Montreal sits third in the Atlantic Division, showcasing balanced scoring, while Boston holds fourth, bolstered by home dominance but hampered by road struggles
Recent Team Forms
Both teams have shown mixed results in January 2026, with Boston on a winning streak at home and Montreal alternating outcomes. Here’s a summary of their last five games (most recent first):
Montreal Canadiens (Form: L-W-L-W-W):
Jan 22 vs. Buffalo Sabres: 2-4 Loss (Crawled back from 3-0 deficit but couldn’t equalize; defensive issues)
Jan 20 vs. Minnesota Wild: 4-3 Win (Caufield late winner; resilient comeback)
Jan 17 (opponent unspecified in reports; loss noted in trends): Loss (part of 3-2 in last 5).
Jan 15 (win per sequence): Win.
Jan 13 (win): Win.
The Canadiens are 3-2 in their last five, averaging 3.2 goals per game with strong special teams but recent defensive lapses. They’ve lost three of their last five overall, struggling against surging teams like Buffalo
Boston Bruins (Form: W-W-L-W-W):
Jan 22 vs. Vegas Golden Knights: 4-3 Win (Scored three in 54 seconds; held off late push)
Jan 20 vs. Dallas Stars: Win (per schedule; extended homestand success)
Jan 17 vs. Chicago Blackhawks: 5-2 Win (Balanced attack; power play efficiency).
Jan 15 (loss in trends): Loss.
Jan 10 vs. New York Rangers: 10-2 Win (Dominant blowout)
The Bruins are 4-1 in their last five, averaging 4.6 goals per game during a hot homestand (aiming for perfection). They’ve won 7 of their last 8 overall, with Pastrnak leading multi-point games
Series History
The Bruins-Canadiens rivalry is one of the NHL’s oldest, with 769 all-time meetings (regular season and playoffs). Montreal holds the edge at 355-297-103-11 for Boston. Regular Season Head-to-Head: Montreal leads 355-297-103, with an average combined score of 5.8 goals per game. Playoff History: Montreal has won 25 of 34 series, including iconic battles like the 1979 Semifinals (Bruins’ “too many men” penalty). Most Recent Meeting: December 23, 2025 – Bruins 6-2 win (per latest available; Boston dominant). Trends: Montreal is 3-6-1 in the last 10 meetings; games often feature high intensity with overs in recent matchups (average 6.2 goals last 5). Boston has won 59 of 149 away games historically, but Montreal excels in Boston lately. This series is defined by passion, with Montreal’s historical dominance clashing against Boston’s recent home success.
Injury Report
Montreal Canadiens:
Patrik Laine (RW): Out (IR; expected return late January)
Alexander Newhook (C): Out (ankle; long-term)
Alexandre Texier (LW): Day-to-day (lower body; re-evaluated daily)
Kirby Dach (F): Recently returned from 34-game absence (foot; expected to play)
No other major issues; stars like Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki are healthy.
Boston Bruins:
Hampus Lindholm (D): Out (IR; undisclosed, placed Jan 5)
Andrew Peeke (D): Out (lower body, since Jan 15)
Only one player listed on some reports, but depth is tested on defense
Key players like David Pastrnak and Elias Lindholm are available and contributing
Boston’s blue line is thinned, potentially exposing them to Montreal’s speed.
Key Player Matchups
This game features star-studded battles in a rivalry known for heroics. Here are the pivotal matchups:
David Pastrnak (Boston, RW) vs. Juraj Slafkovsky (Montreal, RW): Pastrnak, with a recent goal and two assists vs. Vegas, leads Boston in scoring (projected 40+ goals). Slafkovsky’s physicality and emerging offense will test him in board battles
Brad Marchand (Boston, LW) vs. Nick Suzuki (Montreal, C): Marchand’s agitating style and scoring touch face Suzuki’s two-way play and faceoff dominance (55%+). This could control neutral-zone transitions.
Jeremy Swayman (Boston, G) vs. Sam Montembeault (Montreal, G): Swayman anchors Boston’s net with a sub-2.50 GAA at home; Montembeault’s recent heroics (key saves vs. Wild) could spark an upset if he steals the show.
Elias Lindholm (Boston, C) vs. Cole Caufield (Montreal, RW): Lindholm’s multi-point games meet Caufield’s sniper shot (late winner vs. Wild). Secondary scoring here might decide the outcome
Boston’s veterans give them experience, but Montreal’s youth could exploit defensive injuries
Betting Trends
Montreal Canadiens: 3-2 SU in last 5; 5-1 SU as underdog in last 6. Over in 3 of last 5 road games, but 14-5-6 away ATS. Struggled recently (lost 3 of 5), but strong vs. favorites. Boston Bruins: 4-1 SU in last 5; 7-1 SU in last 8 overall. 2-3 ATS in last 5, but 18-8-1 SU at home. Over hits in 4 of last 6 homestands. Head-to-Head Trends: Boston 6-3-1 in last 10; over in 3 of last 5 (average 6.2 goals). Montreal +1.5 hits 70% in recent matchups at TD Garden. League trend: January 2026 rivalry games trend over 55% due to offensive surges.
Game Odds
Montreal Canadiens 6.5
Boston Bruins – 120
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, January 23, 2026
