Blackhawks vs Canadiens Prediction 12/18/2025 Today’s NHL Picks

In this article we will formulate a Blackhawks vs Canadiens prediction for this NHL game on Thursday, December 18th at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.

Chicago Blackhawks Betting Preview

The Chicago Blackhawks are 13-14-6 this season after they lost to Toronto by a score of 3-2 in their last game. Chicago led 2-0 after the second period, but they allowed three goals in the final 10:01 for the loss. The Blackhawks were outshot by a total of 27-25, won 42.9% of the face-offs, and went 0-1 on the power play in the game. Chicago got goals from Dickinson and Kaiser, while Knight stopped 24 out of 27 shots, which was an .889 save percentage. 

Prior to that game, Chicago lost to the Red Wings by a score of 4-0 and the Blues by a score of 3-2. The Blackhawks have lost five of their last six games and they are currently second to last in the Central standings with 32 points. Chicago has scored 2.82 goals per game and they have allowed 3.00 goals against per game, while also going 21.3% on the power play and 83.9% on the penalty kill this season. Tyler Bertuzzi has led Chicago with 16 goals and 10 assists, while Andre Burakovsky has added eight goals and 13 assists. The projected starting goalie for Chicago is Spencer Knight, who is 10-8-5 with a 2.55 goals against average and a .914 save percentage this season. 

Montreal Canadiens Betting Preview

The Montreal Canadiens are 17-12-4 this year after they lost to Philadelphia by a score of 4-1 in their last game. Montreal led 1-0 in the first period, but allowed the last four goals for the disappointing loss. The Canadiens out shot Philadelphia by a total of 22-21, won 32.8% of the face-offs, and went 0-1 on the power play in the game. Montreal got their lone goal from Texier, while Fowler stopped 17 out of 20 shots, which was an .850 save percentage. 

Prior to that game, Montreal defeated the Oilers by a score of 4-1, but lost to the Rangers by a score of 5-4 before that. The Canadiens have lost four of their last six games and they are currently fifth in the Atlantic standings with 38 points. Montreal has scored 3.15 goals per game and they have allowed 3.49 goals against per game, while also going 26.1% on the power play and 76.9% on the penalty kill this season. Nick Suzuki has led Montreal with nine goals and 28 assists, while Cole Caufield has added 17 goals and 16 assists. The projected starting goalie for Montreal is Jakub Dobes, who is 11-5-2 with a 3.03 goals against average and an .892 save percentage this year. 

Why the Montreal Canadiens will win

• The Blackhawks have lost six of their last seven road games.
• The Canadiens have won three of their last four games following a loss.
• The Canadiens have covered the puck line in four of their last five night games following a home loss.
• The Blackhawks have lost the third period in seven of their last eight games as road underdogs against Atlantic Division opponents when trailing after the second period.

Total Goals Facts

• Each of the Blackhawks’ last five night games against the Canadiens following a road loss have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• Six of the last seven night games between the Blackhawks and Canadiens at Bell Centre have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Canadiens’ last 14 games at Bell Centre.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Blackhawks’ last six games as underdogs against Atlantic Division opponents.

Montreal Canadiens Player Prop Facts

• Cole Caufield has scored a goal in three of the Canadiens’ last four games as favorites against the Blackhawks.
• Nick Suzuki has recorded at least one point in eight of the Canadiens’ last nine home games.
• Mike Matheson has recorded at least one assist in each of his last three appearances with the Canadiens as favorites.

Chicago Blackhawks Player Prop Facts

• Teuvo Teravainen has recorded at least one point in each of his last six road appearances against the Canadiens.
• Teuvo Teravainen has recorded at least one assist in each of his last six road appearances against the Canadiens.

Blackhawks vs Canadiens Prediction 

Chicago played very well in the first two periods of their last game against Toronto, but they collapsed in the third for another loss. The Blackhawks are 6-8-3 on the road this year, while the Canadiens are 8-9-1 at home. Montreal has lost three of their last five games and they have allowed at least four goals in three of those losses. The Canadiens have struggled to string wins together this year, but I don’t trust Chicago without Bedard in the lineup, as they have only scored two total goals in the last two games. Take Montreal -1.5 here.

David Racey's Pick: Canadiens -1.5