Canadiens Edge Jets in Close Contest

What we said beforehand

The Winnipeg Jets will host the Montreal Canadiens at Princess Auto Stadium on October 25, 2026, in a matchup that promises to be intriguing given both teams' recent performances. The Jets come into this game with a home record of 4-3-3, while the Canadiens hold an away record of 5-3-2. This fixture marks the beginning of their series for the season.

In their last five games, the Jets have struggled, recording one win against the Minnesota Wild (5-2) on October 14, followed by four consecutive losses: a 4-3 overtime defeat to the Chicago Blackhawks, a 3-2 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, a narrow 2-1 defeat to the St. Louis Blues, and another overtime loss, this time 3-2 against the Dallas Stars. The Jets have averaged 2.6 goals scored and 2.8 goals allowed in their last five games. In contrast, the Canadiens have shown a more favorable form, winning three of their last five games. They secured victories against the Buffalo Sabres (4-3 in a shootout), the Sabres again (4-3 in overtime), and the Chicago Blackhawks (4-1) on October 24. Their losses came against the Washington Capitals (5-4) and the San Jose Sharks (4-3 in overtime). The Canadiens have averaged 3.8 goals scored and 3.2 goals allowed in their last five outings.

Home and away performances reveal further insights. The Jets have a home record of 2-3 in their last five home games, while the Canadiens are 2-2 in their last five away games. The Jets have been on a downward trend, losing their last four home games, which contrasts with the Canadiens' recent success away from home.

In terms of previous meetings, the Jets have struggled against the Canadiens, losing both of their encounters this season. The first meeting took place on December 4, 2025, where the Jets lost 2-3, followed by a more significant defeat on February 5, 2026, with a score of 1-5. This history may weigh on the Jets as they look to turn the tide.

Injury concerns could also play a significant role in the matchup. The Jets will be without Vladislav Namestnikov, Nick Bjugstad, Josh Morrissey, and Garrett Brown, all on injured reserve. The Canadiens will miss their captain, Nick Suzuki, along with Sam Montembeault, Ivan Demidov, Bryce Pickford, and Lucas Condotta, all of whom are also on injured reserve. The absence of key players could impact the strategies employed by both teams.

From a betting perspective, DraftKings has priced the Canadiens as slight favorites with odds of -118, while the Jets are at -102. The spread is set at 1.5, and the total is listed at 5.5, with over odds at -130 and under odds at 110. These figures suggest a competitive matchup, reflecting the uncertainty surrounding both teams' current forms.

As the game approaches, conditions at Princess Auto Stadium will be a factor to consider, although specific weather conditions were not provided in the block. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if the Jets can break their losing streak at home and if the Canadiens can continue their upward trajectory following their recent victories. The performance of key players such as Kyle Connor for the Jets, who leads the team with 9 goals and 12 points, and Cole Caufield for the Canadiens, who has 6 goals, will also be pivotal in determining the outcome of this matchup.