Canadiens Edge Mammoth in Overtime Thriller

What we said beforehand

The upcoming game between the Montreal Canadiens and the Utah Mammoth promises to be an exciting clash as both teams look to solidify their positions in the NHL. The matchup will take place at the Bell Centre on November 6, 2026, marking the beginning of their series, which starts on November 5.

In their recent form, the Canadiens have shown resilience, winning four of their last five games. Their latest result was a narrow loss to the Winnipeg Jets, where they fell 5-4 in overtime on November 4. Prior to that, they secured victories against the Winnipeg Jets (2-1), St. Louis Blues (2-0), Dallas Stars (5-2), and Pittsburgh Penguins (5-4). Over this stretch, the Canadiens have averaged 3.6 goals scored per game while allowing 2.4 goals against.

Conversely, the Utah Mammoth have also displayed strong performances, winning three of their last five games. They recently triumphed over the Toronto Maple Leafs with a score of 3-2 on November 4. Their other recent results include a win against the Pittsburgh Penguins (4-3), a loss to the Philadelphia Flyers (6-3), and a defeat against the Minnesota Wild (3-1). The Mammoth have averaged 3.2 goals scored and 3.6 goals allowed in their last five outings.

However, they are currently on a one-game losing streak at home. The Mammoth, while having a decent away record of 3-2 in their last five away games, are coming off a win and will look to build on that momentum.

In terms of head-to-head matchups, the Canadiens hold an advantage over the Mammoth, winning both previous meetings in the current season. They first faced off on November 9, 2025, where the Canadiens won 6-2 at home, followed by a 4-3 victory in Utah on November 27, 2025. This history will add an intriguing layer to the upcoming game as the Mammoth seek to turn the tide.

Injury concerns could play a significant role in this matchup. The Canadiens will be without several key players, including Ivan Demidov and Sam Montembeault, both on injured reserve, along with Mike Matheson, who is out with a lower body injury. Additionally, Bryce Pickford and Lucas Condotta are also on injured reserve with undisclosed injuries. The Mammoth will miss Kailer Yamamoto, who is out with an upper body injury, and John Marino, also on injured reserve with an upper body issue. Maveric Lamoureux is another player on injured reserve for the Mammoth, dealing with a shoulder injury.

As for the betting market, DraftKings has set the odds with Utah as the favorite at -122, while Montreal is at +102. The spread is set at 1.5, with the total points over/under at 6.5, with over odds at -118 and under odds at -102. This indicates a competitive matchup anticipated by the bookmakers.

Conditions for the game will likely be typical for a November evening in Montreal, which could affect gameplay. Fans can expect an electric atmosphere at the Bell Centre, as both teams aim to leverage their strengths and capitalize on the weaknesses of their opponent.

Viewers should watch for the performance of key players such as Cole Caufield for the Canadiens, who leads the team with 10 goals and 14 points, and Clayton Keller for the Mammoth, who has accumulated 21 points with 17 assists. Additionally, the goaltending situation may be critical, especially with the Canadiens missing Montembeault and the Mammoth having to adjust without their injured players. As the series begins, both teams will be eager to establish dominance early on, making this a must-watch game for hockey fans.