Canadiens Edge Red Wings in Shootout Victory

What we said beforehand

The Montreal Canadiens will face off against the Detroit Red Wings at the Bell Centre on October 10, 2026. Both teams are looking to improve their early season records, with the Canadiens holding a home record of 1-2-1 and the Red Wings at 1-3-0 on the road. This matchup is particularly interesting as both teams have struggled to find consistency in their performances, making the outcome unpredictable.

In their last five games, the Canadiens have recorded two wins and three losses. They began their season with a victory against the Ottawa Senators, winning 4-2, followed by another win against the Toronto Maple Leafs, where they edged out a 3-2 victory. However, they have since lost three consecutive games, including a narrow overtime defeat to the Pittsburgh Penguins (6-5), and losses to the Carolina Hurricanes (6-4) and the Nashville Predators (5-2). The Canadiens have averaged 3.2 goals scored and 4.6 goals allowed in their last five games.

The Red Wings, on the other hand, have also struggled, winning just one of their last five games. They started with a loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets (4-2) and followed it up with a defeat against the New York Rangers (2-0) and the Winnipeg Jets (3-2). They did manage to secure a win against the Ottawa Senators (5-3) but fell to the Seattle Kraken (6-3) in their most recent outing. The Red Wings have averaged 2.2 goals scored and 4.4 goals allowed in their last five games, highlighting their difficulties in both offense and defense.

When considering home versus away performances, the Canadiens have a home record of 1-2-1 this season, while the Red Wings are still seeking their first road win, currently sitting at 1-3-0. Historically, the Canadiens have faced the Red Wings three times this season, with a record of 1-2 against them. Their last meeting resulted in a loss for the Canadiens, where they fell 3-1 on March 19, 2026. Earlier in the season, they also lost 4-0 at home to the Red Wings on January 11, 2026, but did manage a convincing 5-1 win on October 9, 2025.

In terms of injuries, the Canadiens have several key players sidelined, including Sam Montembeault, Oliver Kapanen, Ivan Demidov, and Bryce Pickford, all on injured reserve. Florian Xhekaj is listed as out with an undisclosed injury. The Red Wings are also dealing with injuries, with J.T. Compher, Mason Appleton, and Marco Kasper on injured reserve, while Simon Edvinsson is out due to a contract dispute. These injuries could significantly impact both teams' lineups and overall performance in the game.

The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, has set the odds with the Canadiens at -192 on the money line, while the Red Wings are at +160. The spread is set at -1.5 for the Canadiens, and the total for the game is 6.5, with over odds at +102 and under odds at -122. These figures indicate that the Canadiens are favored to win, but the close odds suggest that the game could be competitive.

As for the conditions leading into the game, fans can expect a high-energy atmosphere at the Bell Centre, where the Canadiens will look to leverage their home-ice advantage. Viewers should watch for Nick Suzuki, who leads the Canadiens with 3 goals and 4 assists for a total of 7 points, and Viktor Arvidsson, who has also scored 3 goals for the Red Wings. The performance of these key players could be pivotal in determining the outcome of this matchup.

In summary, the Canadiens and Red Wings are both searching for a much-needed win as they meet in Montreal. With both teams having faced challenges early in the season, this game presents an opportunity for one of them to gain momentum and confidence moving forward.