| MATCHUP | Florida Panthers | Montreal Canadiens |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 22-18-3 | 25-13-6 |
| Where | Bell Centre, Montreal, QC | |
| When | Thursday, January 8, 2026 | |
| Time | 07:00 PM EST | |
| TV | ESPN+ | |
In this article we will formulate a Panthers vs Canadiens prediction for this NHL game on Thursday, January 8th at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.
Florida Panthers Betting Preview
The Florida Panthers are 22-17-3 this season after they lost to Toronto by a score of 4-1 in their last game. Florida cut the deficit to 3-1 in the third period, but they couldn’t get any closer in the loss. The Panthers out shot Toronto by a total of 32-23, won 48.3% of the face-offs, and went 0-3 on the power play in the game. Florida got their lone goal from Verhaeghe, while Bobrovsky stopped 19 out of 22 shots, which was an .864 save percentage.
Prior to that game, Florida defeated the Avalanche by a score of 2-1, but lost to the Rangers by a score of 5-1 before that. The Panthers have lost three of their last four games and they are currently fifth in the Atlantic standings with 47 points. Florida has scored 3.05 goals per game and they have allowed 3.17 goals against per game, while also going 17.7% on the power play and 82.5% on the penalty kill this season. Brad Marchand has led Florida with 23 goals and 23 assists, while Sam Reinhart has added 23 goals and 21 assists. The projected starting goalie for Florida is Sergei Bobrovsky, who is 17-11-1 with a 2.85 goals against average and an .885 save percentage this season.
Montreal Canadiens Betting Preview
The Montreal Canadiens are 24-13-6 this year after they defeated Calgary by a score of 4-1 in their last game. Montreal had their lead cut to 3-1 in the second period, but they scored the only goal in the third to seal the win. The Canadiens out shot Calgary by a total of 35-29, won 48.4% of the face-offs, and went 0-2 on the power play in the game. Montreal got goals from Caufield, Kapanen, Texier, and Hutson, while Fowler stopped 28 out of 29 shots, which was a .966 save percentage.
Prior to that game, Montreal defeated the Stars by a score of 4-3, but lost to the Blues by a score of 2-0 before that. The Canadiens have won four of their last five games and they are currently third in the Atlantic standings with 54 points. Montreal has scored 3.31 goals per game and they have allowed 3.26 goals against per game, while also going 23.8% on the power play and 77.6% on the penalty kill this season. Nick Suzuki has led Montreal with 14 goals and 32 assists, while Lane Hutson has added seven goals and 35 assists. The projected starting goalie for Montreal is Sam Montembeault, who is 7-6-1 with a 3.48 goals against average and an .865 save percentage this year.
Why the Montreal Canadiens will win
- The underdogs have won each of the last six games between the Panthers and Canadiens.
- The Panthers have lost each of their last four games as road favorites against opponents on a winning streak.
- The Canadiens have covered the puck line in each of their last eight night games.
- The Panthers have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last seven games as favorites against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The Panthers have lost the third period in seven of their last eight games at Bell Centre when trailing after the second period.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Canadiens’ last five night games at Bell Centre have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Five of the Panthers’ last six night games against the Canadiens following a road loss have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Six of the last eight games between teams from the same division have gone OVER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Canadiens’ last eight games as home underdogs.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in 12 of the Panthers’ last 13 games as favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.
Montreal Canadiens Player Prop Facts
- Cole Caufield has scored a goal in four of the Canadiens’ last five night games.
- Nick Suzuki has recorded at least one assist in each of the Canadiens’ last eight games against Atlantic Division opponents at Bell Centre.
Florida Panthers Player Prop Facts
- Sam Reinhart has scored at least one goal in four of the Panthers’ last five games as favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.
- Aleksander Barkov has recorded at least one assist in each of the Panthers’ last six Thursday night games against the Canadiens.
Panthers vs Canadiens Prediction
Montreal comes into this matchup playing very well over their last five games and they have scored at least four goals in three of their last four. The Canadiens are 10-9-1 at home this year, while the Panthers are 8-8-0 on the road. Florida has dropped three of their last four games and they have scored two goals or fewer in four straight. Montreal is on a back to back, which I don’t love, but I don’t trust this Florida offense right now. Take the Canadiens to get a big win at home here.