The Montreal Canadiens (3-1-0) are set to host the Nashville Predators (2-1-1), with the puck drop scheduled for 7 pm ET.
It’s been a very busy week in Montreal. The team decided to sign phenom Lane Hutson to an eight-year contract extension that carries an $8.85 million annual average value, a potential bargain when we consider the salary cap is set to maintain its meteoric rise in the following seasons.
The team then opted to offer both Jeff Gorton and Kent Hughes five-year extensions, as a reward for their meticulous, yet aggressive work done since they were hired in 2021 to author the team’s first real rebuild in franchise history. The Habs are yet to establish themselves as legitimate Stanley Cup contenders, but you’d be hard-pressed to argue they’re not on the right track.
As for the on-ice product, not only have the Canadiens managed to win three games in a row, Hutson’s excellence came to the forefront on Tuesday, particularly in overtime, as evidenced by the chaos created in the offensive zone prior to Cole Caufield’s game-winning goal.
Lane Hutson gets them moving, creating chaos, which gives Cole Caufield a chance to put a perfect shot on net to win the game.
5-4 #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/G3sHPcUDQb
— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) October 15, 2025
The Canadiens will make two lineup changes ahead of the game, with netminder Jakub Dobes taking over starting duties from Samuel Montembeault, while defenceman Jayden Struble is set to finally play a game. Arber Xhekaj is likely to watch from the press box to make way for Struble’s season debut.
As for the Predators, they’re coming off a 7-4 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday, despite outshooting their opponents 30-28. The scoreline was a little unflattering towards Nashville, as the Leafs scored a pair of empty-net goals.
The Predators will feature former Hab Justin Barron on their third pairing, which matches the assignment currently being given to his trade counterpart, Alex Carrier. Seeing as the Canadiens added Noah Dobson in the summer, the trade with the Predators has clearly worked out for Hughes and Co., as Carrier offers a stalwart brand of defence in a group that is heavily populated by puck-moving defencemen.
Montreal Canadiens Potential Lineup
Caufield – Suzuki – Slafkovsky
Newhook – Kapanen – Demidov
Bolduc – Beck – Beck
Anderson – Evans – Gallagher
Matheson – Dobson
Struble – Hutson
Xhekaj – Carrier
Montembeault
Dobes
Projected Nashville Predators Lineup
Forsberg – O’Reilly – Stamkos
Jost – Svechkov – Evangelista
Bunting – Haula – Marchessault
Smith – McCarron – Wiesblatt
Wilsby – Josi
Skjei – Perbix
Statsney – Barron
Saros
How to Watch the Montreal Canadiens vs. the Nashville Predators, Thursday, October 16, 2025
The Canadiens game versus the Predators will be aired on TSN2 and RDS. Once the game is over, an instant recap complete with highlights will be available.
