Vancouver-canucks vs Montréal Canadiens Picks and Predictions March 11th 2025

Canadiens, Canucks Clash with Playoff Hopes on the Line

Two teams on the outside looking in will go head-to-head on Tuesday night as the Montreal Canadiens visit the Vancouver Canucks. With both clubs hovering just below the wild-card spots in their respective conferences, the stakes couldn’t be higher as they battle to keep their postseason dreams alive.

For Montreal, this season represents a chance to return to the playoffs for the first time in four years. Meanwhile, Vancouver, a team that started the season with Stanley Cup aspirations, now finds itself in a desperate fight just to make the postseason.

With every point critical, this game could go a long way in determining whether either team stays in the race or falls further behind.

Vancouver’s Offense Struggling at the Worst Time

The Canucks have hit a rough patch, going 3-5-0 in their last eight games. The biggest concern? Their offense. Vancouver has scored just 17 goals in that stretch while averaging only 25 shots per game.

In Sunday’s 4-1 loss to Dallas, the Canucks managed just 23 shots on goal, even though they did well defensively by limiting the Stars to only 19 shots.

Head coach Rick Tocchet knows his team needs to start capitalizing on its opportunities.

“We’re in the thick of the race. We need some desperation,” Tocchet said.

The team’s offensive struggles have been magnified by the absence of points leader Quinn Hughes, who has missed the last three games with an undisclosed injury. His status for Tuesday’s game remains uncertain.

“You’ve got to feel comfortable in tight games,” Tocchet added. “The good teams have a comfort level, but you need a cushion—you need some goals. We’ve got to score some goals.”

Canadiens Struggling to Find the Back of the Net

Montreal hasn’t fared much better when it comes to scoring. The Canadiens have dropped back-to-back close games to start their four-game road trip, falling 3-2 in overtime to Edmonton before being shut out 1-0 by Calgary on Saturday.

Despite the loss, Cole Caufield was a standout for the Canadiens, leading the team with six shots on goal against the Flames. He came painfully close to scoring in the third period, hitting the crossbar and later missing the net on a breakaway.

Skate to Victory

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“We had our looks in the offensive zone, possessed the puck a lot, but just couldn’t get one past (Calgary’s Dustin Wolf) tonight,” Caufield said. “Great game by him. Again, we had our chances. It’s a tough one to swallow, but we’ll move on and focus on the next one.”

Caufield leads the team with 31 goals, while Nick Suzuki has been Montreal’s most consistent playmaker, leading the team with 46 assists and 65 points.

Patrik Laine is questionable for Tuesday’s game after missing Saturday’s matchup due to illness.

Who’s in Net? Goalie Matchups to Watch

Both teams have back-to-back games this week, meaning we’re likely to see goaltender rotations for both squads.

• Montreal: Sam Montembeault is set to start Tuesday against Vancouver, with Jakub Dobes expected to get the nod against Seattle on Wednesday.
• Vancouver: The Canucks face the Flames on Wednesday, so Arturs Silovs may start against Montreal, while Kevin Lankinen is likely to play in the divisional matchup against Calgary.

Goaltending could be a key factor, especially since both teams boast strong penalty-killing units.

While both teams have struggled offensively, their penalty-killing units have been among the league’s best:

• Montreal: 29-for-34 on the penalty kill over their last 15 games.
• Vancouver: 28-for-30 on the penalty kill in their last 12 games.

With power-play opportunities expected to be limited, this game could come down to even-strength execution and goaltending.

Last Meeting: Habs Took Round One in OT

When these two teams met earlier this season on January 6, the Canadiens pulled off a 5-4 overtime victory over the Canucks in Montreal. Will Vancouver get its revenge on home ice, or can Montreal complete the season sweep?

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Final Thoughts: A Must-Win for Both Teams

With the playoff race tightening, both teams need these two points badly.

• Can Vancouver reignite its offense and protect home ice?
• Can Montreal finally find scoring consistency and steal a crucial road win?

Both teams are in desperation mode, and that should make for a high-intensity, must-watch game in Vancouver.