Game 26: Montreal Canadiens vs. Winnipeg Jets

Start time: 7:00 PM EST / 4:00 PM PST
In Canada: Sportsnet (English)
In the Canadiens region: RDS (French)
Streaming: ESPN+, RDS, Sportsnet+

Just as it looked like the Montreal Canadiens were beginning to turn things around, putting in good performances in losses and then finally breaking out with a three-game winning streak, a couple of rough games are threatening to start another slump. A 7-2 loss in Colorado was understandable considering that that’s something the Avalanche are doing to a lot of teams this season; a 5-2 loss last night at home to the Ottawa Senators where they were outclassed everywhere but the power play is more troubling. It was one of the team’s worst performances of the season, far from what should be expected from a group trying to take the next step after making the playoffs a year ago.

The Winnipeg Jets have been one of the worst teams to face for almost a decade now for a team not performing at its best, but the club isn’t up to its usual standard in 2025-26. Claiming the Presidents’ Trophy last season with a 56-22-4 record, they already have 12 regulation losses through 25 games, and are now nine points out of a Central Division playoff seed.

Of concern for the Jets is that the record is deserved given how they’ve been playing. They have the third-lowest expected-goal share in the NHL, with the fourth-lowest expected goals per 60 minutes. And right now, they don’t have Connor Hellebuyck to bail them out, as he’s recovering from knee surgery and may not return until the new year. Instead they’ve had to turn to Eric Comrie to hold the fort, and that just isn’t the same.

Tale of the Tape

Canadiens
Statistics
Jets

13-9-3
Record
13-12-0

47.6% (26th)
Expected-goal share
45.2% (29th)

3.36 (7th)
Goals per game
3.04 (13th)

3.60 (31st)
Goals against per game
3.00 (15th)

25.4% (4th)
PP%
22.1% (10th)

77.1% (25th)
PK%
83.9% (6th)

0-2-0
Head-to-Head Record (24-25)
2-0-0

Cole Caufield (14)
Most goals
Mark Scheifele (13)

Nick Suzuki (22)
Most assists
Mark Scheifele (19)

Nick Suzuki (30)
Most points
Mark Scheifele (32)

As for the Canadiens’ goaltending, we’ll have to wait to see how Jakub Dobeš responds to allowing seven goals versus the Avalanche. He had put together a couple of wins in back-to-back starts before that, but we did see him deal with own issues after his first four-goal outing earlier this season. I questioned the decision to throw him into the Avalanche game when he was the one playing the best of the tandem, and hopefully he’s able to brush off the loss to this year’s Stanley Cup favourite.

If last night was any indication, he’s going to be busy with a lot of traffic to deal with. Montreal did an awful job of keeping the Ottawa Senators away from their crease, and the defensive-zone play is becoming more of an issue as the season goes on. They were able to significantly improve it a season ago, but everyone seems to be confused about what they’re supposed to do.

That could be trouble especially against Winnipeg’s top line featuring Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele. Scheifele ranks fifth in the NHL with 25 even-strength points and would feast on the Habs if they play like they did last night. Frankly, any player on the ice is dangerous while the defenders are all chasing the play, and the 12 goals against in the past two games are enough testament to that. December is a tough month, and Montreal needs to fix its issues in a hurry.