Detroit Red Wings vs Montreal Canadiens Picks, Prediction, Odds, and Line Movement for Saturday October 10 2026

Detroit has little time to dwell on Friday's 6-3 loss to Seattle. The Red Wings visit Montreal on Saturday in the second half of a back-to-back, with both teams trying to steady disappointing early-season results. Detroit is 1-3, Montreal 1-2-1. The Canadiens have home ice and the better schedule position, but a heavy favorite price makes a more cautious wager on a competitive game appealing.

Detroit's latest loss was particularly revealing. The Red Wings started well against the Kraken but could not keep Seattle out of dangerous areas as the game developed. John Gibson was replaced by Daniil Tarasov after allowing the Kraken to take control. Detroit's depth is already stretched by injuries, which means the team must defend more cohesively rather than counting on a change in goal to solve its problems.

Dylan Larkin's return gives Detroit its most important two-way center, and his projected line with Viktor Arvidsson and Lucas Raymond should receive the toughest assignments. Larkin can keep the puck moving through the middle and is one of Detroit's better options for forcing Montreal to defend on the rush. Alex DeBrincat provides shooting talent on a second line that also features Michael Brandsegg-Nygard and Emmitt Finnie.

Detroit is missing Marco Kasper, J.T. Compher and Mason Appleton, leaving fewer experienced options through the bottom of the lineup. The absence of Compher in particular weakens the team's ability to take defensive-zone faceoffs and distribute minutes. That creates more responsibility for Andrew Copp, Michael Rasmussen and the young forwards. A disciplined game with shorter shifts is essential on the second night of consecutive games.

Tarasov is confirmed to make his first start for Detroit after stopping eight shots in relief Friday. It is a significant test: he has to establish communication with defenders he has barely played behind while facing a fast Montreal group at the Bell Centre. Moritz Seider remains the foundation of the defense, with Justin Faulk and Ben Chiarot among the veteran support. Detroit cannot afford another extended sequence of uncovered backdoor chances.

Montreal's top line of Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki and Juraj Slafkovsky remains its clearest advantage. Caufield can punish defenders who give him room, while Suzuki's ability to draw coverage should open chances for Slafkovsky at the net. The Canadiens also have Chris Kreider skating with Alex Newhook and Josh Anderson, giving them a second unit that can create offense with speed and size rather than requiring perfect possession.

The bigger news Saturday is Kaiden Guhle's season debut following abdominal surgery. His return strengthens a defense that already features Lane Hutson and Noah Dobson, both capable of producing clean exits. Yet Guhle is returning after time away, and Montreal's defensive group is still adjusting. A team can gain a skilled player without immediately becoming airtight in its own zone.

Jacob Fowler is projected to start, with Samuel Montembeault out because of a lower-body injury. Montreal also remains without Ivan Demidov and Oliver Kapanen, removing useful offensive creativity and depth. The Canadiens lost 5-2 to Nashville in their most recent game, and the team cannot rely on reputation or the home crowd to cover defensive mistakes. They need to make Detroit play in its own zone rather than exchanging chances early.

Detroit was available at around +182 in the earlier market and remains a substantial underdog, while Montreal has been priced above -200. Instead of asking an injury-hit Detroit club on a back-to-back to win outright, the more sensible route is the +1.5 puck line. That has been available around -130, within an acceptable range for a wager that can survive a one-goal loss.

Montreal has enough offensive talent to win, but the Canadiens have been inconsistent, and their goaltending situation is not fully settled. Detroit's best forwards can generate a handful of high-quality chances even if Montreal controls possession. The risk is a tired Red Wings defense unraveling late, so this is not a high-confidence position. The appeal is simply that a competitive game is more likely than the expensive Montreal moneyline suggests.

Best Bet: Detroit Red Wings +1.5 puck line at -130 or better. Larkin and Raymond offer enough offense to keep Detroit close against a Montreal team still dealing with injuries of its own. Tarasov's first start introduces risk, but the extra goal of protection is preferable to forcing a Red Wings upset. Montreal can win while Detroit still cashes the recommendation.