The Canadiens Take On The Banged Up Florida Panthers Tonight
The Montreal Canadiens (24-13-6) are back in action tonight to play the 2nd half of a back-to-back against the Florida Panthers (22-17-3) tonight. The Habs are coming into tonight after winning 4-1 against the Calgary Flames last night in what was one of their most complete games of the season. As for the Panthers, they are coming into this game banged up with a hurt Brad Marchand and losers of 3 of their last 4 games.
Full team rosters and stats ahead of tonight’s game between the Canadiens and Florida Panthers at the Bell Centre (7 p.m., TSN2, RDS) #Habs pic.twitter.com/95k7vU9A2R
— Stu Cowan (@StuCowan1) January 8, 2026
This game seems like a very winnable matchup for the Habs, as they are facing a banged-up team that will be without their top scorer, Brad Marchand, who left their matchup against the Toronto Maple Leafs after taking a hit. However, the Canadiens have yet to win both games in a back-to-back situation, which is seemingly making this game trend towards a loss, but if there is a time to finally sweep a back-to-back, now would be a great time.
Sam Montembeault gets the start tonight – no other line-up changes for the #Habs vs. #TimeToHunt
— Priyanta Emrith (@HabsInHighHeels) January 8, 2026
The Habs have yet to confirmed their netminder for tonight will be Samuel Montembeault. He always steps up to the occasion against the Panthers, with a 5-0 record, 1.99 GAA, and .931 save percentage in his last 5 games vs. the team that drafted him. Montembeault essentially becomes a superstar goaltender for one night every time he plays his former team. The 2nd reason is that the Habs are still working on helping their veteran goaltender find confidence in his game again.
There will be no other lineup changes for tonight’s game, but the Habs sent defenseman Adam Engstrom back to the Laval Rocket earlier this morning. This news could mean that Kaiden Guhle will be getting back in the lineup on Saturday against the Detroit Red Wings.
Les Canadiens ont cédé le défenseur Adam Engstrom au Rocket de Laval.
The Canadiens have loaned defenseman Adam Engstrom to the Laval Rocket. pic.twitter.com/9uHC014Lql
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) January 8, 2026
As for the Panthers, it will be Sergei Bobrovsky who will get the start in goal for them tonight. Despite being known as one of the top goaltenders in the NHL, he has had a fair share of struggles against the Habs in recent times, with an .865 save percentage and 3.02 GAA in his last 5 games vs. the Canadiens. This season has been a down year for Bobrovsky, who has struggled to be consistent, as he is currently supporting an .884 save percentage and a 2.85 GAA. It may be better than Montembeault’s numbers on the season, but that isn’t saying much.
Sergei Bobrovsky vs @CanadiensMTL @FlaPanthers @TVASports
— Renaud Lavoie (@renlavoietva) January 8, 2026
The Under 6.5 goals hit in last night’s game for the Habs, and given the GAA of the goalies playing tonight against one another, it may be a smart bet again. The last 5 games between these teams saw 6 goals or fewer scored as well. Despite winning the last 6 meetings and the Panthers being banged up, the Habs are listed as slight -105 home underdogs. It seems that the Panthers being the defending champions and the fact that the Habs are on the 2nd half of a back-to-back took precedence over the recent head-to-head trends.
Nick Suzuki wins the game for the #GoHabsGo, and he’s PUMPED.
What a great pass by Hutson to set it up. pic.twitter.com/bj5CtT2zMN
— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) December 31, 2025
Betting on Nick Suzuki to score tonight would be smart, because he has a goal in 3 straight games against the Panthers, including 2 goals in each of the last 2 matchups. His odds to score tonight are set at +200, while his line to record 2+ points tonight is at +175. Combine Suzuki to get a goal with a Habs win and the Under 6.5 Total Goals to hit for a Same Game Parlay that boosts your odds to +850.
What are your predictions for tonight’s Panthers vs. Habs game?
