Renee: Nick Suzuki lit up the scoreboard against Nashville, but the Predators rallied to steal a 5-2 win. The defensive injuries are mounting, and now Detroit is in town. Is this the turning point for Montreal's young core, or just another stumble in a tough Atlantic Division start? Stick with us.
Joel: It’s a lot to unpack. We’ve got the fallout from that Nashville loss, the current injury report which is frankly concerning, and how we think they match up against the Red Wings tonight at Bell Centre.
Renee: Welcome to the Beatline Podcast Network! I’m Renee, and joining me is Joel. Good morning, everyone. If you’re just tuning in, we’re diving deep into the Montreal Canadiens’ upcoming matchup against the Detroit Red Wings. Tonight is game day, October 10th, 2026.
Joel: Hey folks. It’s good to be back. We have three things we’re breaking down today. First, the storylines coming out of Thursday’s 5-2 loss to Nashville. Second, a look at who is available on the roster given the injury situation. And third, our keys to victory—and a bold prediction—for tonight’s game against Detroit.
Renee: Let’s get right into it. Joel, let’s talk about that Nashville game. We predicted a 3-2 win for Montreal. Instead, Ryan O’Reilly scored the go-ahead goal late, and the Predators came back from a 2-0 deficit to win 5-2. What happened there tactically?
Joel: Well, Renee, we were wrong on the score, but not entirely on the spirit of the game. The issue wasn’t the start; Montreal led 2-0. The issue was the neutral-zone play after the second period. Nashville adjusted their forecheck, and Montreal struggled to exit the zone cleanly.
Renee: So, it wasn’t a lack of effort early on. Nick Suzuki had a goal and an assist. Josh Anderson had an assist. But then the momentum shifted. How do you explain that shift to our listeners who watched the game feel like Montreal had it in the bag?
Joel: It’s a classic case of defensive breakdowns in transition. When you lead by two, you have to tighten up your gap control. Adam Edstrom for Nashville had a great game, scoring a goal and getting an assist from Roman Josi. Josi’s ability to jump the rush caught Montreal’s defensemen flat-footed.
Renee: Right. And now, fast forward to tonight. Detroit is 1-3, sitting in the Atlantic Division alongside Montreal, who is 1-2-1. Both teams are struggling. Does that make this a must-win for morale? Or is it just another regular-season grind?
Joel: In the modern NHL, every game matters for seeding, but psychologically, yes, this feels heavier. Two losses in a row, one being a collapse after a strong start. The story here isn’t just the record; it’s the resilience. Can the coaching staff keep the boys loose while emphasizing structure?
Renee: Speaking of structure, let’s talk about the personnel changes. Just before this weekend, Nashville acquired Jayden Struble from Montreal in exchange for a 2027 second-round pick. Struble is a defenseman. How does losing him impact the blue line depth chart going into tonight?
Joel: Struble was a solid depth piece. He’s 25, experienced. Losing him means Montreal needs more from their younger guys. But honestly, looking at the injury report, Struble’s absence is almost secondary right now because of who is actually sidelined.
Renee: Oh, boy. Here it comes. The injury report. This is where things get really interesting. Let’s break down exactly who is out and who is day-to-day. Because if you’re playing Detroit tonight, you need to know who is on the ice.
Joel: It’s a long list, Renee. Sam Montembeault is Out. That’s huge. He’s the starting goalie. Justus Annunen is also on Injured Reserve. So, who is starting tonight? Jakub Dobes has been the other option on the roster.
Renee: Jakub Dobes starts. Okay. And on defense, Kaiden Guhle is on Injured Reserve. Bryce Pickford is on Injured Reserve. That’s two defensive bodies gone. Who else?
Joel: Ivan Demidov is on Injured Reserve too. On the forward side, Oliver Kapanen is Day-To-Day, and Mavrik Bourque is Day-To-Day. So, you’re missing key contributors across all lines and the blue line.
Renee: This is a lot of holes to fill. But wait, the roster list shows Noah Dobson is there. He’s a defenseman. And Lane Hutson is there. And Adam Engstrom. So the defense corps still has some talent, even without Guhle and Pickford.
Joel: Exactly. Noah Dobson is a top-pairing guy. Lane Hutson brings that offensive upside. Adam Engstrom provides stability. Arber Xhekaj is physical. Alexandre Carrier is steady. So the defense isn’t empty, but it’s definitely thinner than usual. And Dobes in net will be tested.
Renee: Let’s stick with Dobes for a second. If he’s stepping in for Montembeault, what’s his track record? Has he shown he can handle the pressure when the team is on a short week with injuries?
Joel: Dobes has shown flashes. He’s athletic, he makes the big saves. But consistency is key. Against a team like Detroit, who wants to drive the net front, you need someone who can set up the crease and clear rebounds quickly. That’s where the defensive structure comes in.
Renee: Okay, so we’ve got Dobes in net, a thinner defensive corps, and some forwards out. Let’s talk about the forwards. Nick Suzuki was the star last game. Chris Kreider is on the roster. Juraj Slafkovsky is there. Cole Caufield is there. Who leads the offense tonight?
Joel: Suzuki is the engine. He’s getting the puck, he’s creating chances. But we also have to mention Zack Bolduc. Remember, we talked about him lighting it up recently. He’s on the roster as a right wing. He’s been a spark plug.
Renee: Yes! And in our previous episodes, we noted the offensive spark from Zack Bolduc and Chris Kreider. Kreider is a veteran presence. He’s got experience. He’s on the left wing. How does he fit with Suzuki and Anderson?
Joel: Kreider brings size. He wins battles along the boards. He can draw penalties. Against Detroit, who is also struggling, physicality might be the differentiator. If Montreal can win the physical battles in the corners, they can create more scoring opportunities.
Renee: But wait, Josh Anderson is listed as a right wing. He had an assist in the last game. So we have Suzuki center, maybe Anderson on the wing? And where does Kreider fit? Left wing? Alex Newhook? Jake Evans? Phillip Danault? The line combinations are fluid right now.
Joel: Fluid is the word. With injuries, coaches often shuffle lines to find chemistry. You might see Suzuki with Kreider and Anderson. That’s a heavy, skilled line. Then you have Caufield on another line, looking for shots. And you have the younger guys like Alexandre Texier and Florian Xhekaj trying to contribute.
Renee: Florian Xhekaj. Physical. Right. And Chris Kreider. Size. So, if Montreal can establish that physical presence, they can control the pace. But Detroit is also 1-3. They’re desperate for a win. Do they come out swinging?
Joel: They have to. When you’re 1-3, you’re under pressure. They’ll likely come out aggressive. That means Montreal needs to be disciplined. No stupid penalties. Especially with a backup goalie in net, you can’t give away easy chances.
Renee: Discipline. Great point. So, segment one recap: Montreal is dealing with significant injuries, especially in goal and on defense. They lost to Nashville after leading 2-0. Now they face a desperate Detroit team. The storylines are resilience, lineup shuffles, and finding identity.
Joel: Exactly. It’s about survival and adaptation. Can they adapt to the new personnel? Can Dobes step up? Can the forwards generate offense without their usual depth?
Renee: Let’s take a quick break. When we come back, we’ll dive into the specific matchups and line combinations to watch. Who pairs with whom? Who needs to step up? Stay tuned.
Renee: We’re back. Segment two: Key players and line combinations. Let’s talk about the top line. Nick Suzuki, Chris Kreider, Josh Anderson. Does that sound like the plan?
Joel: It’s a very plausible top line. Suzuki is the playmaker, Kreider is the power forward, Anderson is the secondary scorer. It’s a balanced attack. But we also have to watch Cole Caufield. He’s on the right wing, usually with a center.
Renee: Who is Caufield playing with? Alex Newhook? Jake Evans? Phillip Danault? These centers are all available. Which one gives Caufield the best support?
Joel: Newhook is a good two-way center. He can pass. Evans is gritty. Danault is reliable. Given the injuries, I’d expect Newhook to get the nod with Caufield. It’s a skilled pairing. You want Newhook to set up Caufield for those wrist shots.
Renee: And what about the third line? Alexandre Texier, Florian Xhekaj, Zack Bolduc? Bolduc has been hot. We mentioned him in the preview. Do you think he stays in that spot?
Joel: Absolutely. Bolduc is earning his minutes. He brings energy. He forechecks hard. Against Detroit, you want that energy. Xhekaj adds size. Texier adds skill. It’s a volatile line, but volatile can be good if it creates chaos.
Renee: Chaos is good when you’re the underdog. But let’s talk defense again. Noah Dobson and Lane Hutson. They are the stars of the blue line. Who do they pair with? Adam Engstrom? Arber Xhekaj? Alexandre Carrier?
Joel: Dobson probably pairs with Carrier. Carrier is steady. He doesn’t make mistakes. Then you have Hutson with Engstrom. Engstrom is physical, which helps protect Hutson’s offensive style. It’s a smart pairing strategy.
Renee: So, Dobson-Carrier, Hutson-Engstrom. That leaves Joel Matheson as the seventh man. He’s a defenseman. He needs to be ready. And in goal, Jakub Dobes. He’s the starter tonight. What does he need to do to win?
Joel: He needs to be sharp. Rebounds. Setups. He can’t give up soft goals. Detroit will test him early. If he gets them off the board, Montreal can stay in the game. If he leaks in early, it’s over.
Renee: Sharpness. Okay. So, the keys are: Top line production, Caufield-Newhook chemistry, defensive pairings holding up, and Dobes making key saves. Any other specific matchup to watch? Maybe forward vs forward?
Joel: Watch Suzuki vs Detroit’s top center. It’s a chess match. Suzuki is smart. He reads the game. If he can beat his counterpart, he opens up the whole offense. That’s the key.
Renee: Suzuki’s brain vs Detroit’s best. I love that. So, segment two recap: Look for Suzuki’s leadership, Caufield’s shooting, Bolduc’s energy, and Dobes’s rebound control. And don’t forget the defensive pairings of Dobson-Carrier and Hutson-Engstrom.
Joel: Exactly. Those are the building blocks. If they execute, Montreal has a chance.
Renee: Let’s take another quick break. Coming up, we’ll give you our keys to victory and a bold prediction for tonight’s game. Don’t go anywhere.
Renee: Welcome back to segment three. Keys to victory and a bold prediction. Joel, let’s start with the keys. What are the three things Montreal MUST do to beat Detroit tonight?
Joel: One: Win the faceoffs. Especially in the defensive zone. You can’t give Detroit second chances. Two: Clear the crease. Jakub Dobes needs help. If the net is cluttered, he’s in trouble. Three: Power play efficiency. If you can score one goal on the man, it changes the game.
Renee: Faceoffs, clearing the crease, power play. Solid advice. Now, let’s talk prediction. Last time, we predicted Montreal would win 3-1 against Detroit. We were wrong about the Nashville game, but we’re feeling confident about Detroit? Or are we hedging?
Joel: I’m sticking with the win. But I’m adjusting the score. I think Montreal wins 4-2. Why? Because the offense is too talented to shut down completely. Suzuki, Kreider, Caufield—they’ll score. But Detroit will score twice.
Renee: 4-2. Okay. And who scores the most? We predicted Nick Suzuki would have multiple points last time. Did he? Yes, he had a goal and an assist. So, another multi-point game for Suzuki?
Joel: I think Suzuki has a goal and two assists. He’s the engine. He’s seeing the ice clearly. He’s feeding Kreider and Anderson. And Caufield gets a goal. It’s a team effort, but Suzuki leads the way.
Renee: Suzuki with three points. Bold prediction. And we’re predicting Zack Bolduc scores again? Remember, we said he would score against Nashville. He didn’t. But he was a spark. Do you think he nets one tonight?
Joel: I’ll say yes. Bolduc is due. He’s working hard. He’s in the right spot. I think he scores on the power play. It’s a high-five goal. Quick release.
Renee: Zack Bolduc scores on the power play. Nick Suzuki has three points. Montreal wins 4-2. I like it. It’s optimistic, but based on the talent on the ice. Even with the injuries, the skill is there.
Joel: The skill is there. It’s just a matter of execution. If they execute, they win. If they don’t, they lose. But I’m betting on execution.
Renee: Alright, let’s wrap this up. Recap: Montreal faces Detroit tonight. They are dealing with injuries to Montembeault, Guhle, and others. Jakub Dobes starts in net. The keys are faceoffs, crease clearing, and power play. Prediction: Montreal wins 4-2, with Suzuki having a multi-point game and Bolduc scoring.
Joel: That’s the outline. It’s going to be a fun game. Detroit is desperate, Montreal is resilient. Let’s see who wants it more.
Renee: Before we go, we want to ask you for a little help. We pour hours into these previews and analysis every single day to bring you the best hockey coverage. If you’ve enjoyed this breakdown of the Canadiens’ injury situation and matchup keys, please consider supporting us directly. Your contributions keep this show free and daily. Check the link in the episode description to chip in—it truly means the world to us.
Joel: Thanks for listening. Go Habs Go!