Overview
- Montreal enters 8-3-0 after a 3-1-0 West Coast trip and a 3-1-0 home mark, while Ottawa arrives 6-5-1 following a 4-1 run.
- The Canadiens confirmed Samuel Montembeault will start in goal despite allowing 14 goals in two losses over his past three starts, with unbeaten rookie Jakub Dobes in reserve.
- Cole Caufield is on a tear after his overtime winner in Seattle set a franchise mark, and captain Nick Suzuki carries a 10-game point streak.
- Ottawa has steadied without captain Brady Tkachuk due to a thumb injury, highlighted by Jake Sanderson’s late equalizer in a 4-3 shootout win over Calgary as Drake Batherson and Tim Stützle pace the attack.
- Bad blood lingers from a preseason meeting that produced roughly 150 penalty minutes and multiple fights, and special teams could loom large with both clubs scoring well but struggling on the penalty kill.