The Montreal Canadiens have a winnable home game against the slumping Chicago Blackhawks at the Bell Centre tonight.
Chicago has lost three straight and is without star Connor Bedard, so my Blackhawks vs. Canadiens predictions are calling for Montreal blueliner Lane Hutson to light the scoreboard tonight.
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Read more in my NHL picks for Thursday, December 18.
Blackhawks vs Canadiens prediction
Blackhawks vs Canadiens best bet: Lane Hutson Over 1.5 shots on goal (-140)
With the Chicago Blackhawks surrendering the fifth-most shots per game, including the most to opposing defensemen, I’m backing Montreal Canadiens star Lane Hutson to record two or more at the Bell Centre.
He’s hit the benchmark in 12 of his past 17 games while racking up 37 shots on 79 attempts, climbing into the 86th percentile among defensemen in shots on goal.
This is also a five-on-five possession mismatch with Hutson posting a team-high Corsi For percentage among Montreal defensemen during the highlighted stretch, while Chicago sports a 28th-ranked mark for the year.
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Of course, Hutson also quarterbacks the No. 1 power-play unit for the Habs, and the Blackhawks average the second-most shorthanded ice time per game.
Blackhawks vs Canadiens same-game parlay
Montreal is in danger of letting a solid start to the season slip away, so I’m anticipating a solid game from the Habs on home ice. Chicago has dropped three straight, is missing its best player, and has allowed the eighth-most goals per road game this year (3.47).
Returning to Hutson, he picked up multiple assists in three consecutive games before being held off the scoresheet against Philadelphia on Tuesday. His 1.8 assists per 60 minutes rank third on the Habs and eighth among NHL defensemen, so with the noted soft matchup, I like Hutson to pick up a helper tonight.
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Blackhawks vs Canadiens SGP
Lane Hutson Over 0.5 assists
Lane Hutson Over 1.5 shots on goal
Blackhawks vs Canadiens odds
Moneyline: Blackhawks +165 | Canadiens -200
Puck Line: Blackhawks +1.5 (-135) | Canadiens -1.5 (+115)
Over/Under: Over 5.5 (-130) | Under 5.5 (+110)
Blackhawks vs Canadiens trend
Montreal has won 46 of its last 89 games (+10.50 Units / 10% ROI). Find more NHL betting trends for Blackhawks vs. Canadiens.
How to watch Blackhawks vs Canadiens
Location
Bell Centre, Montreal, QC
Date
Thursday, December 18, 2025
Puck drop
7:00 p.m. ET
TV
CHSN, TSN2
Blackhawks vs Canadiens latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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