The Florida Panthers (22-17-3) hit the road to play the Montreal Canadiens (24-13-6) at Bell Centre on Thursday, Jan. 8 at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+. The Canadiens are riding a three-game home winning streak.
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Before watching this matchup, here's a glimpse at which team we think will bring home the victory in Thursday's action on the ice.
The Canadiens have a 7-1-2 record in their last 10 games. They have scored 39 goals while giving up 23 in that period. On the power play, 32 opportunities have resulted in five goals (15.6% conversion rate).
Panthers vs. Canadiens Predictions for Thursday
Our computer projections model for this matchup predicts a final score of Canadiens 4, Panthers 3.
- Moneyline Pick: Canadiens (-107)
- Total Pick: Over 6 (computer predicts 6.6 goals on average)
- Spread Pick: Canadiens (+1.5)
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Panthers Splits and Trends
- The Panthers have a 22-17-3 record overall, with a 3-3-6 record in matchups that have required overtime.
- In the 11 games Florida has played that were decided by one goal, it has a 9-0-2 record (good for 20 points).
- Looking at the nine times this season the Panthers finished a game with just one goal, they have a 1-7-1 record, good for three points.
- Florida has scored a pair of goals in nine games this season (2-5-2 record, six points).
- The Panthers are 19-4-0 in the 23 games when they have scored three or more goals (to record 38 points).
- In the 17 games when Florida has capitalized on a single power-play goal, it has a 9-7-1 record (19 points).
- In the 26 games this season in which it has outshot its opponent, Florida is 12-11-3 (27 points).
- The Panthers have been outshot by opponents in 16 games, going 10-6-0 to register 20 points.
Canadiens Splits and Trends
- The Canadiens have a 9-6-15 record in overtime matchups this season and a 24-13-6 overall record.
- Montreal has earned 22 points (10-4-2) in its 16 games decided by one goal.
- This season the Canadiens registered only one goal in four games and they've earned two points (1-3-0) in those contests.
- Montreal has four points (2-4-0) when scoring a pair of goals this season.
- The Canadiens have earned 48 points in their 31 games with more than two goals scored.
- This season, Montreal has recorded a single power-play goal in 13 games has a record of 9-4-0 in those matchups.
- When it outshoots its opponent this season, Montreal has posted a record of 9-7-2 (20 points).
- The Canadiens' opponents have had more shots in 21 games. The Canadiens finished 12-5-4 in those matchups (28 points).
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Team Stats Comparison
| Panthers Rank | Panthers AVG | Canadiens AVG | Canadiens Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17th | 3.05 | Goals Scored | 3.33 | 6th |
| 21st | 3.17 | Goals Allowed | 3.21 | 22nd |
| 7th | 29.3 | Shots | 25.9 | 27th |
| 6th | 26.3 | Shots Allowed | 27 | 9th |
| 22nd | 17.72% | Power Play % | 23.39% | 8th |
| 7th | 82.52% | Penalty Kill % | 78.26% | 20th |
Panthers vs. Canadiens Game Time and TV Channel
- When: Thursday, January 8, 2026 at 7 p.m. ET
- TV Channel: ESPN+
- Live Stream: Watch this game on ESPN+
- Live Stream: Watch this game on Fubo (Regional restrictions may apply)
- Where: Bell Centre in Montréal, Quebec
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