Game 38: Montreal Canadiens vs. Chicago Blackhawks

Start Time: 8:00 PM EST / 5:00 PM PST

Broadcast: TSN2 (English), RDS (French) in Canada; CHSN in the Blackhawks region

Streaming: Available on ESPN+, RDS, and TSN+

The Montreal Canadiens are back on the ice after a short break, ready to tackle another challenging back-to-back matchup. Last season, such a schedule would have sparked concerns for the team, but in the 2024-25 season, they’re taking it all in stride with a stellar record of 8-1-1 in back-to-back games. Recently, they showcased their prowess by sweeping the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning, adding crucial points to their standings.

Tonight, Montreal faces off against the Chicago Blackhawks. While the Blackhawks have struggled this season, winning only 12 games, they remain a formidable opponent, capable of pulling off surprises—especially against historic teams like the Canadiens. The Blackhawks come into the game looking to turn their luck around, having lost their last five matches. Tonight, they’re hoping that rookie Colton Dach can light a spark and lead them back to victory.

Projected Lineup for the Montreal Canadiens

Forwards: Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, Juraj Slafkovský, Michael Pezzetta, Kirby Dach, Alex Newhook, Emil Heineman, Jake Evans, Joel Armia, Josh Anderson, Christian Dvorak, Brendan Gallagher.

Defense: Lane Hutson, Mike Matheson, Kaiden Guhle, Alexandre Carrier, Arber Xhekaj, Jayden Struble.

Goaltenders: Samuel Montembeault (Starter), Jakub Dobeš (Backup).

Injuries: David Savard (Injured), Patrik Laine (Illness).

Projected Lineup for the Chicago Blackhawks

Forwards: Tyler Bertuzzi, Connor Bedard, Ilya Mikheyev, Taylor Hall, Jason Dickinson, Nick Foligno, Colton Dach, Frank Nazar, Teuvo Teravainen, Pat Maroon, Ryan Donato, Craig Smith.

Defense: Wyatt Kaiser, Seth Jones, Alex Vlasic, Louis Crevier, Nolan Allan, T.J. Brodie.

Final Thoughts

As the Canadiens look to extend their recent streak, the Blackhawks aim to snap a worrying downturn. Both teams will rely heavily on their forwards, with Montreal counting on the offensive prowess of young stars like Caufield and Suzuki, while Chicago pivots its hope on the talented rookie Bedard. Tune in tonight as this Original Six clash promises to deliver excitement and possibly a turning point for either squad!