The Canadiens bring a four-game winning streak and a clear standings edge into a rematch Pittsburgh took 6-5.
Montreal sits at 8-3-2 with 18 points and a four-game winning streak, while Pittsburgh is 5-6-2 with 12 points and is coming off a loss; the Canadiens also rank 13th in the power index to the Penguins’ 25th. The teams’ only meeting this season was a 6-5 Pittsburgh win, giving Montreal a chance to answer at Centre Bell. The scoring duel features Cole Caufield’s 12 points in 13 games and Nick Suzuki’s 12 in nine for Montreal against Erik Karlsson’s 13 points in 13 games and Evgeni Malkin’s 11 in 12 for Pittsburgh. Montreal’s ability to turn its stronger recent form into chances—and contain Pittsburgh’s playmakers—could decide whether the Canadiens extend their streak or the Penguins repeat their head-to-head result.