Winnipeg Jets vs Montreal Canadiens 25 October 2026 Prediction

The NHL’s first outdoor game of the season will take place in Winnipeg, where the Jets host the Montreal Canadiens. Winnipeg has lost five of its last six games, while Montreal has earned points in five of its last six and is moving closer to a playoff spot.

Hellebuyck Leaves Winnipeg

Connor Hellebuyck’s standoff with Winnipeg is over. The goaltender held out during the summer, missed training camp and requested a trade. Nearly a month into the regular season, the Jets sent him to New Jersey.

That is a significant loss for Scott Arniel’s team, which has dropped five of its last six games. Winnipeg beat Minnesota 5-2 during that stretch but lost to Chicago 4-3 in overtime and St. Louis 2-1.

Winnipeg Predicted Lineup: Skinner (Stevenson) — Samberg, Pionk — Connor, Scheifele, Perfetti

Additional roster players: Defensemen — Ferraro, DeMelo, Fleury, Bauer; forwards — Iafallo, Bjork, Vilardi, Yager, Lowry, Rosen, Lambert, Barron, Koepke

Unavailable: Morrissey, Namestnikov (injured); Niederreiter, Mercer, Daws, Bjugstad (questionable)

Manager: Scott Arniel

Montreal Remains Outside the Playoff Picture

Montreal made progress under Martin St. Louis last season, performing well in both the regular season and the playoffs. This season’s start has been less convincing, and the Canadiens remain outside the playoff spots. Defense has been the main issue. They have allowed 35 goals in 10 games, the most among the top 12 teams in the Eastern Conference.

The Canadiens have earned points in five of their last six games. They lost twice in that span, including a 4-3 overtime defeat to San Jose. Montreal led by two goals in the third period of that game but conceded twice while shorthanded.

Montreal Predicted Lineup: Dobes (Fowler) — Hutson, Matheson — Caufield, Kapanen, Slafkovsky

Additional roster players: Defensemen — Carrier, Guhle, A. Xhekaj, Dobson; forwards — Kreider, Newhook, Anderson, Bolduc, Danault, Texier, Dach, Evans, Beck

Unavailable: Demidov, Montembeault, F. Xhekaj, Suzuki (injured)

Manager: Martin St. Louis

Montreal Won Both Meetings Last Season

Winnipeg did not beat Montreal in the 2025-26 season. The Jets earned a point on the road in a 3-2 shootout loss, then fell 5-1 at home. In that home game, Winnipeg scored first, but Montreal answered with five straight goals despite being outshot 37-27.

Key Stats

Winnipeg allows 3.4 expected goals per game, the ninth-worst mark in the league.

Montreal’s power play is among the league’s five least effective at 12.5%.

The Canadiens average 1.2 first-period goals per game, ranking 11th in the NHL.

Winnipeg Jets vs Montreal Canadiens Prediction: Montreal to Win Including Overtime and Shootout

Main prediction: Winnipeg has lost five of its last six games, including defeats to Chicago and Anaheim. Montreal, meanwhile, has beaten Chicago and Buffalo twice. The Canadiens also won both meetings with the Jets last season, including a 5-1 road victory. The pick is Montreal to win, including overtime and shootout, at 1.87. Predicted score: 4-3.

Goals prediction: Montreal has scored 17 goals and allowed 15 in regulation over its last five games. Winnipeg has recently allowed three goals apiece to Carolina and Chicago and five to Anaheim. Those numbers support over 6.5 total goals at 2.15.