Montreal Canadiens vs Detroit Red Wings Picks and Prediction for Thursday, October 9, 2025
Use Code WWWC The Montreal Canadiens will complete a back-to-back on Thursday when visiting the Detroit Red Wings after opening their regular season on the road Wednesday versus the Toronto Maple Leafs. Last season, Montreal was 40-31-11 with 91 points and reached the postseason, but was eliminated in the first round by Washington. Detroit finished last season 39-35-8 and did not play in the playoffs. Montreal’s Ivan Demidov and Zack Bolduc are both questionable. Detroit will play without James van Riemsdyk. Make sure to read this in-depth Montreal Canadiens vs Detroit Red Wings prediction. Dominate the rink! Dive into our NHL picks for Montreal Canadiens at Detroit Red Wings prediction and claim your win.
Montreal looks to improve on its first-round exit from the playoffs last season
The Montreal Canadiens added several new faces to the roster during the off-season, including Zachary Bolduc (IR), Samuel Blais, Alex Belzile, Noah Dobson, and Marc Del Gaizo, among others. Montreal also lost several players, including Emil Heineman, Christian Dvorak, Joel Armia, Michael Pezzetta, and David Savard, among others.
Montreal scored an average of only 2.91 goals per game from January 1st onwards, which was 19th, but returns Kirby Dach, Alex Newhook, and will have a full season of Patrik Laine. However, the key to success on attack is stars Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, and Juraj Slafkovsky. At the blue line, Montreal has a young core of players who allowed an average of 3.18 goals per game, but the addition of Alexandre Carriers before Christmas gave them experience and toughness in front of the crease, making the Canadians one of the best defensive teams in the second half of the season. The addition of Noah Dobson during the off-season will help the blue line.
Montreal's No. 1 goalie is Samuel Montembeault, who last season was 31-24-7 with a 2.82 goals against average and .902 save percentage with four shutouts. Jakub Dobes was 7-4-3 with a 2.74 GAA, .909 SV%, and one shutout in 14 appearances last season as one of two backups to Montembeault.
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Detroit looks to continue its strong attack, but needs to tighten up the blue line
The Detroit Red Wings will once again be led on attack by Dylan Larkin, Lucas Raymond, and Alex DeBrincat. The core on attack is very strong, but the defense has struggled despite having the highly talented Moritz Seider.
During the off-season, Detroit added veteran goalie John Gibson as well as James van Reimsdyk (IR), Mason Appleton, Jacob Bernard-Docker, and Travis Hamonic. The Red Wings lost goalie Petr Mrazek, Alex Lyon, Jeff Petry, and Craig Smith. Detroit was 22nd in scoring last season, but with its core of scorers returning and a few new faces on attack, Detroit must not be overlooked by opponents. At the blue line, Detroit was in the bottom 12 in scoring defense and last in penalty kill percentage. Seider is the most consistent defenseman of the bunch, but veteran Ben Chariot and Albert Johannson have helped to give the Red Wings more stops.
Last season Cam Talbot, who is 37, led the Red Wings in appearances in goal with 43 but injuries to Talbot and Alex Lyon forced Detroit to use five goalies. John Gibson was acquired to stabilize the crease for the Red Wings. Last season, playing for Anaheim, Gibson had a 2.77 goals against average with a .911 save percentage. Talbot also returns from last season and will be Gibson's backup.
Montreal Canadiens vs. Detroit Red Wings Pick
Spread Pick for Canadiens vs. Red Wings
- Detroit Red Wings -130 (5 units)
Detroit will have an advantage playing on its home ice, as well as the fact that Montreal will be playing an early-season back-to-back after opening the regular season on Wednesday night with a road game against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Detroit returns several of its forwards, including Lucas Raymond, Alex DeBrincat, and captain Dylan Larkin. The Red Wings attempted to improve play between the pipes with the addition of veteran goalie John Gibson, who last season had a 2.77 goals against average. Montreal has many of the same faces from last season with a few additions, but playing on the road for the second consecutive night will make the Canadians skate slower and give Detroit a big advantage.
Over/Under Pick for Canadiens vs. Red Wings
- Under 6.0 (4 units)
Montreal is likely to play at a slightly slower pace after opening its regular season on Wednesday night with a visit to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Detroit goalie John Gibson had a respectable 2.77 goals against average last season with Anaheim, and Montreal’s Sam Montembeault had a 2.82 GAA with a .902 save percentage. In the second half of last season, Montreal was known for its defense, and that will continue on Thursday, as Detroit will have to work hard for open shots and take more time with each possession.
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