Canadiens Dominate with Clean Sweep Over Blackhawks
The Montreal Canadiens are set to host the Chicago Blackhawks in an important matchup at the Bell Centre. Following a disappointing 4-1 loss against the Philadelphia Flyers, the Canadiens aim to reclaim their momentum. This game marks the second and final meeting of the season between these two teams.
Previous Meeting Overview
The previous encounter took place on October 11 in Chicago. The Canadiens secured a 3-2 victory, benefiting from ten power-play opportunities and successfully scoring twice during the man-advantage. Captain Nick Suzuki stood out during the game, assisting on all three goals. Goaltender Samuel Montembeault performed well, stopping 20 of 22 shots, resulting in a .909 save percentage.
Team Updates and Goalies
As the Canadiens prepare for the game against the Blackhawks, goaltender Jakub Dobes is expected to start. He has not faced the Blackhawks yet. His performance is crucial, especially as confusion about the starting goalie remains due to Martin St-Louis’s absence from the media.
- Jakub Dobes’ previous NHL experience against the Blackhawks: None
- Jacob Fowler’s recent performance: Loss against the Flyers
On the Chicago side, goaltenders Spencer Knight and Arvid Soderblom are options. Knight holds a record of 1-2-0 against the Canadiens, while Soderblom is 2-0-1 in his career against them. Knight has played 23 games this season, establishing himself as a primary netminder after being traded from the Florida Panthers.
Injury Reports and Lineup Changes
The Canadiens are dealing with injuries that impact their lineup. Connor Bedard, a key player for the Blackhawks, is out with a shoulder injury. Nick Foligno, the Blackhawks’ captain, has been sidelined since November 15 but has joined the team on their road trip and may return soon.
- Key injuries for the Canadiens:
- Patrik Laine: 18 points in 30 games, currently injured
- Mike Matheson: 8 points in 16 games, upper-body injury, daily evaluation
- Key players for the Blackhawks:
- Teuvo Teravainen: 24 goals in 25 games
- Tyler Bertuzzi: 15 points in 23 games
- Ilya Mikheyev: 12 points in 22 games
Current Form and Previous Encounters
The Canadiens and Blackhawks have each won five of their last ten encounters. However, the Blackhawks swept the season series in the 2024-25 season with two narrow wins, 4-2 and 4-3 (shootout). A victory for the Canadiens would ensure they reciprocate with a clean sweep for this season’s series.
Game Details
The highly anticipated game is scheduled for 7:00 PM at the Bell Centre. Fans can catch the action on RDS, TSN2, and CHSN. This matchup is critical for the Canadiens as they look to enhance their standings before heading into the Christmas break.
