Montreal Canadiens vs. Detroit Red Wings Prediction and Picks for Thursday, October 9th, 2025
Use Code SSWC The Montreal Canadiens (0-1-0) already have a game under their belt, and they’ll enter Thursday's contest against the Detroit Red Wings (0-0-0) on the second night of a back-to-back. We’ve got you covered with our Canadiens vs. Red Wings prediction. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 ET from Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, MI. Our NHL Predictions are sure to provide a great payout. Check them out!
Habs Drop the Opener
The expectations are high for the Montreal Canadiens this season, and personally, I’m buying the hype. They return reigning Calder Trophy winner Lane Hutson (6G, 60A) on the backend, and he’s playing with a D-core featuring solid veterans like Mike Matheson (6G, 25A) and Noah Dobson (10G, 29A with NYI). They should be stable defensively, but the offensive firepower is what really piques my interest. RW Ivan Demidov is the Calder Trophy favorite (+180) this season, and he joins a budding group of stars in Cole Caufield (37G, 33A), Nick Suzuki (30G, 59A), and Juraj Slafkovsky (18G, 33A).
The Habs got their season started on Wednesday night in Toronto, losing 5-2 to the Maple Leafs. It was much closer than the final score reflects, as the Leafs buried two empty-netters to put the game on ice. Oliver Kapanen (1) and Zack Bolduc (1) were the scorers for the Canadiens. Being that Sam Montembeault played on Wednesday, we’ll likely see Jakub Dobes in net on Thursday. He went 7-4-3 with a 2.74 GAA and a .909 SV% with Montreal last season.
- Montreal has high expectations this year, as their point total is 90.5 (-115/-115) and they’re sitting at +5000 to win the Stanley Cup.
- The Habs were decent offensively last season, putting up 2.96 goals per game (17th) and converting 20.1% of their power-play chances (21st).
- On the defensive side, Montreal was 22nd in team GAA (3.18), while ranking ninth on the penalty kill (80.9%).
Red Wings Trying To Take Next Step
The hopes have been high for the Detroit Red Wings in recent years, but the product on the ice simply hasn’t lived up to the hype. Things got so bad in 2024-25 that the front office fired Coach Derek Lalonde on December 26th, paving the way for Todd McLellan to take the reins. The team went 26-18-4 under Coach McLellan, and that was good enough for him to retain the job in Motown heading into 2025-26. Overall, the Wings went 39-35-8 (86 points) last year and missed the playoffs for the ninth consecutive campaign.
Sign Up Get $30 Premium Picks Credit + Exclusive Offers
Subscribe Now
In terms of personnel, you have your big names of C Dylan Larkin (30G, 40A), RW Lucas Raymond (27G, 53A), and LW Alex DeBrincat (39G, 31A) returning, but other than that, this roster is pretty slim. Detroit brought in longtime Anaheim netminder John Gibson, and he still looked good last season at age 31. Gibson went just 11-11-1, but posted the seventh-best SV% (.912) and a modest 2.77 GAA (28th). It’ll be interesting to see how he slots in on a roster where he isn’t facing 30+ shots per night and constantly under siege.
- The Red Wings enter the 2025-26 campaign with a point total of 84.5 (-130/+100), and they’re priced at +9000 to win the Stanley Cup.
- Last season, Detroit averaged 2.87 goals per game (22nd) and cashed 27.0% of their power plays (fourth).
- Defensively, they conceded 3.16 goals per contest (21st) and ranked 32nd on the penalty kill at 70.1%.
Canadiens vs. Red Wings Pick
Moneyline Pick for Canadiens vs. Red Wings
- Montreal Canadiens Moneyline (+110) (5 units)
I couldn’t have more polarizing views on these two hockey teams heading into 2025-26. The Red Wings are extremely top-heavy heading into the year, and I think as long as the Canadiens can match up the Matheson-Dobson defensive pairing with their top skaters, then it’s going to be tough sledding for Detroit offensively. As for the goaltending, Jakub Dobes will likely get the nod since Sam Montembeault went on Wednesday. He was solid last season with a 2.74 GAA and a .909 SV%.
Additionally, since it’s not too deep into the season, the back-to-back scenario shouldn’t really faze the Habs. You could probably make the argument that having a “real” game under their belt could even be an advantage. Plus, the travel should be a non-factor too, since Toronto and Detroit are so close. All things considered, I think the Canadiens are the better team, and I will gladly take the underdog flier on them in this spot.
Over/Under Pick for Canadiens vs. Red Wings
- Over 6.0 (-115) (5 units)
I’m taking the over while it’s at a flat 6.0 goals. Montreal’s offense looked decent on Wednesday night, mustering up 31 SOG and posting a xGoals of 3.11.
The biggest reason why I like the over in this game is because of the volatility in Detroit’s special teams. This team was dominant on the power play last season, cashing their man-advantage opportunities at a rate of 27.0% (fourth). On the PK, the Wings were dead last at 70.1%. The Canadiens’ power-play unit didn’t strike on Wednesday (0-2), but they are loaded with goal-scorers and a great point-man in Lane Hutson. I think a 4-2 final is the floor in this one, and I think the final score skews higher. I’m taking the over.
Never Tried Picks and Parlays? Now Is Your Chance
- Get your first daily picks package for ONLY $1 using coupon code BUCK
- If the pick loses, we credit your account with 3 Flex Picks
- If the pick wins, we still give you 1 Flex Pick on the house
- Win or lose, you walk away ahead. One dollar. No catch.
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
New Users – Bet $5 Get $200 in Bet Reset Tokens for 5 Days
