The Tuesday NHL schedule features the Montreal Canadiens (15-10-3) hosting the Tampa Bay Lightning (16-10-2) at Bell Centre, starting at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+. The Canadiens are ninth and the Lightning fifth in the Eastern Conference.

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Canadiens vs. Lightning: Dec. 9 Viewing Options

Canadiens’ 2025-26 Stats

Lightning’s 2025-26 Stats

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Canadiens vs. Lightning Top Players

Canadiens

With eight goals and 24 assists this season, Nicholas Suzuki is one of Montreal’s leading contributors (32 points).
With 16 goals and 15 assists, Cole Caufield is one of the most important offensive options for Montreal with his 31 points (1.1 per game).
Through 28 games, Lane Hutson has proven himself as a scoring option for Montreal. He has 22 points (five goals and 17 assists).
In the 16 games Jakub Dobes has played this season, his save percentage is .890, 47th in the league.
Lightning

Nikita Kucherov’s 34 points make him an important offensive option for Tampa Bay. He has put up 12 goals and 22 assists in 25 games.
Brandon Hagel has amassed 29 points this season, with 17 goals and 12 assists.
Tampa Bay’s Jake Guentzel is among the leaders on the team with 28 total points (14 goals and 14 assists).
Andrei Vasilevskiy is 11-6-2 in 19 games this season, conceding 43 goals (2.3 goals against average) with 464 saves and a .917 save percentage (11th in the league).
Canadiens vs. Lightning Injury Report

Canadiens

Kirby Dach: Out (Foot),

Samuel Montembeault: Day-To-Day (Illness),

Kaiden Guhle: Out (Lower Body),

Alexander Newhook: Out (Ankle),

Patrik Laine: Out (Abdomen)

Lightning

Erik Cernak: Out (Undisclosed),

Andrei Vasilevskiy: Out (Undisclosed),

Ryan McDonagh: Out (Undisclosed)

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Canadiens’ Schedule