Montreal Canadiens vs Chicago Blackhawks Picks and Prediction for Friday October 23, 2026
The Montreal Canadiens will travel to Chicago on Friday night for a matchup against the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center. The game has an 8:00 p.m. start time, and coverage will be on the NHL Network. Montreal comes into Friday with a mediocre year, currently 4-3-2 overall, having dropped two of the last three after an overtime loss to San Jose in their last outing. The Chicago Blackhawks stay home Friday at 3-6 this season after losing 3 of the last five after a four-goal loss to Dallas in their last game. Montreal is a -142 road favorite. Chicago is a +120, and the total is 6.5. Stay in the action with our NHL Picks.
Montreal hunts the road win
The Montreal offense has averaged 3.11 goals and 29.7 shots per game this season. Defensively, Montreal has been bad, allowing 3.78 goals on 26.3 shots, and they've given up 9 total goals across their last two losses. Nick Suzuki is leading the Montreal offense this season with 12 points, and he has boasted a team-high 7 assists. Lane Hutson is second on the roster this season with 9 points. Cole Caufield has chipped in a third-best eight points, and he leads the team with six goals scored.
Jakub Dobes was bad in the net for Montreal in their last outing, giving up four goals on 30 shots to post an .867 save percentage in just over 62 minutes on the ice. Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, and Juraj Slafkovsky all led the way for the Montreal offense last time out with one goal and one assist each.
Key Injury Report for Montreal:
- Mike Matheson (Day-To-Day) – Oct 23
- Florian Xhekaj (IR) – Oct 31
- Samuel Montembeault (IR) – Oct 25
- Ivan Demidov (IR)- Oct 31
- Bryce Pickford (IR-NR) – Oct 31
- Nick Suzuki (Out — upper-body injury) – Expected to miss 2–4 weeks
Chicago tries to get the season going in the right direction
Offensively, Chicago is averaging just 2.33 goals on 21.4 shots per game this season. Defensively, Chicago has been terrible, allowing four goals on more than 30 shots per game, and they've given up 13 goals over their last three losses. Anton Frondell is leading Chicago this season with six points, and he has posted a team high 5 assists. Teuvo Teravainen, Patrick Kane, and Tyler Bertuzzi are all tied for second on the roster this season with five points apiece. Frank Nazar has four points, and he is one of two players with a team-leading three goals this year.
Spencer Knight was terrible last game out for Chicago, giving up four goals on 32 shots to post an .875 save percentage in the loss. The Chicago offense was nonexistent last time out, as the Blackhawks scored no goals on 19 total shots.
Key Injury Report for Chicago:
- Bowen Byram (Day-To-Day) – Oct 23
- Andrew Mangiapane (IR) – Oct 25
Montreal Canadiens vs Chicago Blackhawks Picks and Prediction
Pick: Montreal Canadiens -142
Montreal should have an advantage offensively against a Chicago team that has struggled with defensive consistency in recent seasons. The Canadiens have several players capable of creating opportunities in the offensive zone, particularly Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Juraj Slafkovsky. Montreal should look to establish pressure early and force Chicago to spend extended stretches defending around its own net. The Blackhawks have dangerous offensive talent, especially Connor Bedard, but relying heavily on a few players to generate scoring opportunities could become problematic if Montreal controls possession. Chicago will need to limit turnovers and prevent the Canadiens from creating quality scoring chances off the rush. Montreal's offensive depth and ability to generate pressure across multiple lines should provide enough opportunities to secure a road victory.
Pick: Over 6.5
There are several reasons to expect offensive production when Montreal and Chicago meet Friday night. Both teams feature talented young forwards who can create scoring chances through speed and individual skill, but neither defense should be considered particularly difficult to challenge without showing improvement. Montreal has the personnel to generate consistent pressure against Chicago, especially if the Canadiens establish possession and create traffic around the net. The Blackhawks should also find opportunities offensively, particularly when Bedard has room to operate in transition or on the power play. Defensive turnovers and penalties could become important factors in determining the final score. If both teams generate opportunities on special teams and neither goaltender takes control of the matchup, this contest should produce enough goals to finish over the posted total.