With Montreal sitting on the playoff bubble after dropping two straight, tonight's clash against a Chicago team that's lost seven of its last nine could be the perfect opportunity for the Canadiens to punch their postseason ticket.
The Habs' eighth-ranked penalty kill will face off against the Blackhawks' surprisingly effective 10th-ranked power play in what might be the key matchup to watch, though Chicago's league-worst defensive numbers (3.6 goals against per game) give Montreal a clear edge.
All signs point to a must-win situation when the Montreal Canadiens face off against the Chicago Blackhawks in what could be a playoff-clinching night at the Bell Centre.
Montreal Canadiens vs. Chicago Blackhawks prediction: who will win?
For tonight's Montreal Canadiens vs Chicago Blackhawks matchup, our predictive model gives the Canadiens a 77.5% chance of defeating the Blackhawks.
Montreal Canadiens: 77.5% win probability
- Superior offensive production (238 goals scored compared to Chicago's 218)
- Better positioning in league standings (8th in Eastern Conference versus Chicago's 15th in Western)
- More consistent recent form (LLWWW versus Chicago's LWLWL pattern)
Chicago Blackhawks: 22.5% win probability
- Poor defensive record (290 goals conceded, among the worst in the Western Conference)
- Significantly fewer wins (23 compared to Montreal's 39 wins)
- Struggling road performance (as indicated by their 15th place standing in a 16-team conference)
At Sporting Post, our unique prediction model combines insights from top NHL experts. Instead of sifting through hundreds of expert analyses across the web, you can rely on our predictions to understand the market's overall sentiment. We scan trusted sources, analyzing predictions, data, and opinions, and our AI assigns a confidence level to each prediction. We then average these levels to produce an 'expert opinion' win probability—reflecting the collective intelligence of the industry's leading NHL experts.
Montreal Canadiens vs. Chicago Blackhawks odds
Here are the latest odds for the NHL matchup between the Chicago Blackhawks and the host Montreal Canadiens set for Monday, April 14.
| Montreal Canadiens | Chicago Blackhawks | |
|---|---|---|
| Moneyline | -267 (via Caesars Sportsbook) | +220 (via BetMGM Sportsbook) |
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Montreal Canadiens vs. Chicago Blackhawks preview
The Montreal Canadiens are on the doorstep of clinching a playoff spot as they host the struggling Chicago Blackhawks at Bell Centre Monday night in what could be a season-defining matchup for the home team.
Coming off a heartbreaking 1-0 overtime loss to Toronto, the Habs need a win to secure that coveted second Eastern Conference wild-card position, while Chicago—mathematically eliminated and having dropped seven of their last nine—has nothing but pride to play for.
Montreal's high-octane offense, led by Nick Suzuki (87 points) and Cole Caufield (37 goals), will look to exploit a Chicago defense that ranks dead last in goals against average (3.6) and shots allowed.
The Blackhawks' lone bright spot has been their surprisingly effective power play (10th in the league), though they'll face a stiff test against Montreal's 8th-ranked penalty kill unit.
History doesn't favor the visitors either, with Chicago dropping four of their last five meetings against Montreal, who've been absolutely dominant at home lately, winning nine of their last ten at Bell Centre.
Sam Montembeault will likely mind the net for the Canadiens, bringing a respectable 30-24-6 record, while Spencer Knight is expected to get the start for the Blackhawks.
Look for Montreal's superior offensive depth—boasting four players with 49+ points—to eventually wear down a Chicago team that's simply playing out the string in a lost season.
I can't see the desperate Canadiens letting this opportunity slip through their fingers—expect the Bell Centre to be rocking as Montreal takes a significant step toward playoff hockey.
Key stats
- 1Montreal Canadiens rank 8th in Eastern Conference with 88 points while Chicago Blackhawks sit 15th in Western Conference with just 57 points
- 2Montreal has won their last 3 games (recent form: LLWWW) while Chicago has struggled with a recent form of LWLWL
- 3Montreal Canadiens have scored 238 goals and conceded 259 (-21 goal difference) compared to Chicago's 218 goals for and 290 against (-72 goal difference)
- 4Both teams have played 80 games, but Montreal has 39 wins versus Chicago's 23 wins, giving Montreal a significant 16-win advantage
Montreal Canadiens vs. Chicago Blackhawks form
Montreal Canadiens vs. Chicago Blackhawks head to head
Montreal Canadiens
67%
Chicago Blackhawks
33%
Jan 4, 2025
Chicago Blackhawks
4 : 2
Montreal Canadiens
Dec 23, 2023
Chicago Blackhawks
2 : 5
Montreal Canadiens
Oct 14, 2023
Montreal Canadiens
3 : 2
Chicago Blackhawks
Feb 15, 2023
Montreal Canadiens
4 : 0
Chicago Blackhawks
Nov 25, 2022
Chicago Blackhawks
2 : 3
Montreal Canadiens
Jan 14, 2022
Chicago Blackhawks
3 : 2
Montreal Canadiens
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