Montreal vs Boston Prediction 17 March 2026
🔊 Arguably the most intense rivalry in National Hockey League history enters its fourth game of the season. The head-to-head clash between Montreal and Boston is further fueled by the standings, with just a single point separating the teams in the Eastern Conference table. We break down the stats ahead of this regular-season matchup and offer our editorial prediction for the NHL game.
Head-to-Head
📊 Over the past three seasons, Montreal and Boston have clashed ten times: the Canadiens have secured three victories, while the Bruins have taken seven. On Canadian soil, Montreal have won just one of their last nine games in regulation, and one more beyond regulation time.
Head-to-head statistics Montreal - Boston
Montreal Canadiens Team Overview
Montreal heads into the derby riding a two-game losing streak in regulation, having fallen to the San Jose Sharks (2-4) and the Anaheim Ducks (3-4). Prior to this streak, the Canadian club had endured an eight-game stretch this season without back-to-back losses, only once extending a losing streak. The Canadiens currently sit fifth in the East, but are just one win away from positions 4th to 8th.
At home, Montreal has conceded 4 or more goals in two consecutive games for the first time in three months. Games at the Bell Centre are often high-scoring affairs, with Montreal averaging 3.36 goals per game at home and conceding an average of 3.21 goals.
Patrick Laine is expected to recover in time for this crucial matchup. Kirby Dach's injury should also see him return swiftly. In their previous outing, Jayden Struble was absent from defense, while Zachary Bolduc missed out on offense, replaced by Arber Xhekaj and Brendan Gallagher in the lineup.
Match Results: Montreal Canadiens
Boston Bruins Team Overview
The "Bears" managed to pick up points despite their defeat to the New Jersey Devils (3-4 OT), bringing Marco Sturm's squad to a tally of five points from their last six games. Recently, Boston has struggled offensively, averaging just 2.33 goals per game since the beginning of March. They trail Montreal by just one point.
On the road, the Bruins have lost eight of their last nine matches, although most of these losses still earned them points. Their away defense is the weakest in the East, conceding an average of 3.66 goals per game. Since the league resumed in late February, Boston has only allowed fewer than three goals in a road game once.
Boston's current injury list is empty. Defenseman Andrew Peeke was left out of the lineup against the Devils, replaced by Henri Jokiharju in the third pair, while forward Mikey Eyssimont was swapped for Alex Steeves. Making his first appearance since March 7, Joonas Korpisalo was in goal.
Match Results: Boston Bruins
⚡️ Key Players
Three Montreal players maintain top spots in the league's scoring charts. Nick Suzuki, with 78 points (23 goals, 55 assists), ranks among the NHL's top 10 scorers and playmakers. Cole Caufield, with 39 goals, is second among the league's goal scorers, while Lane Hutson's 56 assists place him eighth in the assist rankings. Juraj Slafkovsky and Nick Suzuki have both been on the scoresheet for three consecutive games.
Boston's offense is led by one of the season's top scorers, David Pastrnak, who has 81 points (26 goals, 55 assists), and one of the league's leading goal scorers, Morgan Geekie, who has netted 34 goals and recently played on the third line. The Czech forward heads into the game in Montreal riding a six-game point streak. Charlie McAvoy has recorded points in each of his last seven games.
🥅 Goaltenders
In the three weeks since the regular season resumed, Montreal's coaching staff has utilized three goaltenders. Jakub Dobes has seen the most ice time, posting an 88.7% save percentage over five games with a goals-against average (GAA) of 3.05. Jacob Fowler has a 90.3% save percentage in two games with a GAA of 3.05, while Sam Montembeault has an 84.7% save percentage and a GAA of 4.28.
Jeremy Swayman was given a rest against the Devils after playing three consecutive games for the first time since the break. The American goaltender has a post-break save percentage of 92.4% with a GAA of 1.83. Joonas Korpisalo's return to the ice has been less successful, allowing 16 goals over his last four games with an 88.6% save percentage.
Editorial Prediction
Despite bookmakers labeling Montreal as the clear favorite, it's important to consider the inconsistent performance of the Canadian club's goalkeepers-post-break, the team has been conceding over three goals per game on average. With a pivotal matchup against a fierce rival on the horizon, much will hinge on the goalies' performance, where the well-rested Jeremy Swayman holds the advantage.
Even more crucial is analyzing their head-to-head meetings-Boston have not lost in regulation time in Montreal in 13 of their last 15 encounters. The editorial choice is a double chance (X2) for the Boston Bruins, with the belief that they will not lose in regulation time.
No comments
Betting Tips: Montreal Canadiens - Boston Bruins
in 16 of last 17 home games against Boston Bruins (NHL).in 15 of last 16 games against Boston Bruins (NHL).
in 8 of last 9 games (NHL).in 7 of last 8 games (NHL).in last 8 away games (NHL).
Other predictions
