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Canadiens Strive to Shake Off Painful Loss as They Face Canucks
The Montreal Canadiens arrive in Vancouver looking to rebound from one of the more painful defeats of their young season — a 6-5 meltdown in Edmonton that saw them surrender three unanswered goals in the third period. Despite the collapse, there were positives to draw from: Montreal outplayed one of the NHL’s best offenses for long stretches and showed flashes of the aggressive, fast-paced hockey that has fueled their strong start.
Now, with the Vancouver Canucks awaiting them at Rogers Arena, head coach Martin St. Louis wants his team to turn frustration into fuel. “It’s easy to be disappointed by the result,” St. Louis said. “But I’m happy with how we played. We competed for 60 minutes — we just didn’t win.”
Montreal enters the matchup at 6-3-0, while Vancouver returns home from a five-game road trip sitting at 4-4-0 and eager to reset in front of their fans.
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Game Information
Matchup: Montreal Canadiens vs Vancouver Canucks
Venue: Rogers Arena – Vancouver, BC
Date: Saturday, October 25, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM PT
Broadcast: NHL Network
Odds: Canucks -115 | Canadiens -104 | Total 6.0
Montreal: Controlling the Tempo, but Needing Discipline
The Canadiens’ biggest undoing in Edmonton wasn’t effort — it was penalties. Montreal allowed five Oiler power plays (to their one) and paid dearly for it, giving up the lead late in regulation. Still, the offense continued to hum: Cole Caufield and Alex Newhook each scored twice, while Nick Suzuki extended his point streak to eight games.
Suzuki, who leads Montreal with 12 points (11 assists), has become the engine of the Habs’ attack. Caufield’s seven goals lead the team, and his chemistry with Suzuki remains one of the NHL’s most consistent duos. Rookie defenseman Lane Hutson also continues to impress as a playmaker, adding two assists against Edmonton.
Goaltending has been steady — Jakub Dobes is expected to start after posting a 4-0-0 record with a 1.50 GAA and .949 save percentage in limited action. His calm presence could be key against a Vancouver team that leans heavily on its home crowd and transition speed.
Montreal’s biggest task? Staying out of the penalty box and protecting leads. The Canadiens rank in the bottom third of the league in penalty minutes and are 26th in penalty kill percentage. Against a physical team like Vancouver, composure will be critical.
Canadiens Injury Report
| Player | Status | Injury |
|---|---|---|
| Kaiden Guhle (D) | Out | Lower Body |
| Patrik Laine (RW) | Questionable | Lower Body |
| David Reinbacher (D) | Out | Hand |
| William Trudeau (D) | Out | Undisclosed |
For more in-depth team stats, trends, and matchup history, visit the NHL picks and predictions page.
Vancouver: Searching for Offensive Consistency
The Vancouver Canucks are back home after a mixed five-game road trip — three wins followed by back-to-back losses to Pittsburgh and Nashville. In both defeats, the Canucks struggled to finish, scoring just twice in their last two games combined after averaging 4.5 goals during their winning stretch.
Captain Quinn Hughes remains the heartbeat of the team, averaging over 26 minutes a night and driving play from the back end. “We’re ready to go home and get back to our game,” Hughes said. “We want to make this homestand count.”
Depth players have been contributing too. Max Sasson, called up from Abbotsford, has three goals in five games, while Kiefer Sherwood, one of the league’s most physical forwards, continues to bring an edge with his forecheck and energy shifts.
The offense still runs through Elias Pettersson and Brock Boeser, but the duo has cooled off — combining for just one goal in the last four games. Vancouver ranks mid-pack in goals scored but top-10 in both hits and blocked shots, emphasizing the gritty, defensive identity Adam Foote has built.
In net, Thatcher Demko remains the difference-maker. The veteran goaltender has a .924 save percentage through seven starts, keeping Vancouver competitive even when the offense goes quiet.
Canucks Injury Report
| Player | Status | Injury |
|---|---|---|
| Teddy Blueger (C) | Out | Undisclosed |
| Guillaume Brisebois (D) | Out | Lower Body |
| Filip Chytil (C) | Out | Upper Body |
| Derek Forbort (D) | Out | Undisclosed |
| Nils Hoglander (LW) | Out | Lower Body |
| Jonathan Lekkerimaki (RW) | Out | Undisclosed |
| Jett Woo (D) | Out | Upper Body |
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Analysis
This matchup is a clash of styles. The Canadiens play fast, offensive hockey built on movement and creativity, while the Canucks rely on structure, physicality, and goaltending. Montreal’s youth and speed could stretch Vancouver’s defense, but if the Canucks turn it into a low-event, grinding game, the edge swings toward the home team.
Vancouver will look to limit rush chances and test Dobes early with traffic in front. Montreal, meanwhile, must avoid taking unnecessary penalties — something that cost them dearly in Edmonton. Both teams rank top-10 in shot creation, suggesting this could turn into a track meet if pace dictates play.
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Prediction
Expect a tight, physical battle between two teams with contrasting identities. The Canadiens’ momentum and scoring depth give them a slight edge, but Demko’s presence and Vancouver’s home-ice advantage keep things close.
Projected Score: Canadiens 3, Canucks 2 (OT)
Best Bets: Montreal +1.5 (-261), Under 6.0 (-117)
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