Chicago vs Montreal Prediction 24 October 2026
🔊 Not long ago, Montreal could count on their captain in virtually every game. Nick Suzuki had made 546 consecutive appearances, but now he's sidelined for two to four weeks with an upper-body injury. This is a significant blow for the Canadiens as they embark on a four-game road trip. Chicago, meanwhile, have their own issues: Jeff Blashill’s side have dropped six of their opening nine games and have already been shut out twice this season. Montreal took both head-to-head meetings last year, but much will now depend on how quickly the visitors can adapt their attack without their top scorer.
Fifteen seconds changed everything.
📊 Last season, Montreal defeated Chicago twice, though the first win was hard-fought for the Canadians. In their October clash on Blackhawks ice, Kaiden Guhle netted the game-winner with just 15 seconds left in the third period. The December encounter proved more comfortable for the Canadiens: Zachary Bolduc bagged a brace, while Lane Hutson tallied three assists. For Chicago, only Frank Nazar managed to get on the scoresheet. Notably, in nine of their last ten head-to-head meetings, the Blackhawks have failed to score more than three goals.
Head-to-head statistics Chicago - Montreal
Two wins haven’t solved their lingering issues
Chicago have managed three wins in their opening nine games, but have already conceded 36 goals while scoring just 21. The team sit 13th in the Western Conference with six points. Even back-to-back victories haven’t changed the overall impression of the Blackhawks: their offense struggles to produce consistently, while the defense too often leaves opponents with too much space. Amid these issues, Anton Frondell’s six points and Frank Nazar’s three goals stand out. Connor Bedard has collected three points in as many games, but individual efforts haven’t been enough to lift the team’s overall numbers.
Their latest clash with Dallas ended in a 0-4 defeat, though the start wasn’t as hopeless as the final score suggests. According to Jeff Blashill, his side actually out-chanced the opposition 6-4 in the first period, and held a 5-2 edge in even-strength opportunities. Still, they failed to convert a single chance. After the break, Dallas broke the deadlock on the power play before Arttu Hyry finished off a two-on-one, then added his second in the third period. Chicago managed only 19 shots on target, while Spencer Knight stopped all 28 he faced. After the game, Connor Bedard admitted the team need to generate more chances, especially on the power play. Adding to their woes is an injury to defenseman Bowen Byram, who missed his second consecutive game.
Match Results: Chicago Blackhawks
The captain is sidelined at the worst possible time.
Montreal have picked up ten points from nine games, boasting a noticeably stronger record than their upcoming opponents: four wins, three regulation losses, and two more defeats in overtime. Under Martin St. Louis, the Canadiens have shown promise up front, but now they'll face a real test of how much their offense relies on a single player. Nick Suzuki had already tallied 12 points-five goals and seven assists-remaining Montreal’s top scorer. His injury comes at the worst possible time, with the team about to embark on a four-game road trip. Cole Caufield has already found the net six times, and Lane Hutson has chipped in with nine assists, but it’s clear that replacing the captain’s impact will be a collective challenge.
Their most recent outing against San Jose highlighted Montreal’s attacking potential, even though it ended in a 4-3 overtime defeat. The Canadiens conceded first, but Suzuki leveled the score before the break thanks to assists from Juraj Slafkovsky and Hutson. In the second period, Slafkovsky put the hosts ahead, followed by a goal from Caufield. However, three unanswered goals weren’t enough to secure the win-San Jose clawed their way back and snatched the extra point. Jakub Dobeš made 28 saves in goal. Now, Montreal are set to play their first game without their captain, who was still instrumental in two of the team’s goals as recently as Tuesday.
Match Results: Montreal Canadiens
Prediction for the 1st period
On home ice, Chicago rarely trails Montreal after the opening twenty minutes. In thirteen of their last fourteen head-to-head matchups in Chicago, the Blackhawks have avoided defeat in the first period. Even with their current struggles, this trend remains intact-especially as the visitors start their road trip without Suzuki. The pick: Chicago not to lose the first period at 1.40.
Total Goals Prediction
Chicago have consistently struggled to ignite their offense against Montreal. In nine of their last ten head-to-head meetings, the Blackhawks have managed no more than three goals. This season hasn't offered much hope for a turnaround: they've scored just 21 times in nine games, and in their most recent outing, they couldn't get past Jake Oettinger at all. The pick here is Chicago under 3.5 goals at 1.41.
*Odds are approximate and may vary across different bookmakers.
⭐️ Editor’s Prediction
Montreal have players who can conjure goals out of nowhere, but the absence of Suzuki is a game-changer. The captain has racked up 12 points in nine games, and in the last outing against San Jose, he managed both a goal and an assist. Chicago, meanwhile, are still struggling to find their offensive rhythm: just 21 goals in nine games and two shutouts so far.
The head-to-head history also suggests we shouldn't expect a shootout. In sixteen of the last seventeen meetings, these teams have failed to surpass six goals, and on Blackhawks’ ice, that trend holds true in seven of the last eight encounters. Of course, Chicago’s defense has already conceded 36 goals-by far the biggest concern for this pick. Still, with the hosts’ current scoring form and Montreal missing key personnel, a scenario with fewer than seven goals looks like the more convincing play. My pick: under 6.5 goals.
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Betting Tips: Chicago Blackhawks - Montreal Canadiens
in 13 of last 14 games (NHL).in 9 of last 10 home games (NHL).
in last 6 games (NHL).in 13 of last 14 home games against Montreal Canadiens (NHL).in 11 of last 12 games (NHL).in 7 of last 8 games against Montreal Canadiens (NHL).in last 9 games (NHL).in 6 of last 7 away games (NHL).
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