The Montreal Canadiens host the Columbus Blue Jackets on April 11, 2026, at Bell Centre in Montreal. Montreal are currently one of the hottest teams in the Eastern Conference and remain in the race for the Atlantic Division title. Meanwhile, Columbus arrive in weaker form and are trying to regain momentum after a difficult stretch of games. With playoff positioning still important for the Canadiens, this matchup could be another opportunity for Montreal to continue their strong run.
Blue Jackets vs Canadiens Match Details
| Match | Columbus Blue Jackets vs Montreal Canadiens |
|---|---|
| League | NHL 2025-26 Season |
| Date | April 11, 2026 |
| Time | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| Venue | Bell Centre |
| Location | Montreal, Quebec |
| Broadcast | Sportsnet East, TVAS, CITY |
Match Preview
Montreal Canadiens have enjoyed an impressive stretch of form late in the season. They recently secured a tight 2-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning and have consistently been collecting points. Their disciplined defensive play and timely scoring have allowed them to control close games.
The Canadiens’ offense continues to revolve around captain Nick Suzuki and winger Cole Caufield. Suzuki has been producing points consistently, while Caufield recently reached a major scoring milestone and remains one of the most dangerous shooters in the league. Juraj Slafkovsky has also added scoring depth on the top line.
Columbus Blue Jackets enter the game struggling for consistency. Their recent results include several defeats and defensive lapses that have hurt the team during key moments. While the Blue Jackets still generate chances in transition, maintaining defensive stability has been a major challenge.
Players like Adam Fantilli and Kirill Marchenko continue to drive Columbus’ offense, while defenseman Zach Werenski contributes from the blue line. However, the Blue Jackets will need a complete performance to compete with a confident Montreal team playing on home ice.
Betting Odds
| Market | Odds |
|---|---|
| Canadiens Moneyline | -141 |
| Blue Jackets Moneyline | +120 |
| Puck Line | Canadiens -1.5 |
| Total Goals | 6 |
Montreal enter the matchup as favorites due to their recent winning form and home advantage.
Montreal Canadiens Recent Form
Montreal have been one of the most consistent teams in the conference in recent weeks.
Canadiens Last 5 Games
| Date | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 10 | vs Lightning | Win 2-1 |
| Apr 8 | vs Panthers | Win 4-3 SO |
| Apr 6 | vs Devils | Loss 0-3 |
| Apr 5 | at Devils | Win 4-3 |
| Apr 3 | at Rangers | Win 3-2 |
The Canadiens have won four of their last five games and continue to show strong defensive structure.
Columbus Blue Jackets Recent Form
Columbus have struggled to maintain consistent results recently.
Blue Jackets Last 5 Games
| Date | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 10 | at Sabres | Loss 0-5 |
| Apr 8 | at Red Wings | Win 4-3 SO |
| Apr 5 | vs Jets | Loss 1-2 |
| Apr 3 | at Hurricanes | Loss 1-5 |
| Apr 1 | vs Hurricanes | Loss 2-5 |
The Blue Jackets have only one win in their last five games and have allowed multiple goals in most of those contests.
Head-to-Head Record
Montreal and Columbus have played several close games recently.
Recent Meetings
| Date | Result |
|---|---|
| Mar 27, 2026 | Canadiens 2-1 Blue Jackets |
| Nov 18, 2025 | Blue Jackets 4-3 Canadiens |
| Dec 24, 2024 | Blue Jackets 5-4 Canadiens |
Montreal have had the edge in many recent matchups, winning the majority of meetings over the past few seasons.
Projected Lineups
Columbus Blue Jackets Projected Lineup
| Position | Players |
|---|---|
| Forward Line 1 | Kirill Marchenko – Adam Fantilli – Isac Lundestrom |
| Forward Line 2 | Cole Sillinger – Charlie Coyle – Danton Heinen |
| Forward Line 3 | Mason Marchment – Boone Jenner – Conor Garland |
| Forward Line 4 | Miles Wood – Sean Monahan – Kent Johnson |
| Defense Pair 1 | Zach Werenski – Dante Fabbro |
| Defense Pair 2 | Ivan Provorov – Denton Mateychuk |
| Defense Pair 3 | Jake Christiansen – Erik Gudbranson |
| Goalies | Jet Greaves, Elvis Merzlikins |
Montreal Canadiens Projected Lineup
| Position | Players |
|---|---|
| Forward Line 1 | Cole Caufield – Nick Suzuki – Juraj Slafkovsky |
| Forward Line 2 | Alexandre Texier – Alex Newhook – Ivan Demidov |
| Forward Line 3 | Josh Anderson – Jake Evans – Kirby Dach |
| Forward Line 4 | Joe Veleno – Phillip Danault – Oliver Kapanen |
| Defense Pair 1 | Mike Matheson – Noah Dobson |
| Defense Pair 2 | Jayden Struble – Lane Hutson |
| Defense Pair 3 | Adam Engstrom – Arber Xhekaj |
| Goalies | Jakub Dobes, Jacob Fowler |
Injury Report
Both teams are dealing with a few injuries ahead of the matchup.
Columbus Blue Jackets Injury Report
| Player | Status |
|---|---|
| Damon Severson | Out |
| Dmitri Voronkov | Out |
| Mathieu Olivier | Out |
Montreal Canadiens Injury Report
| Player | Status |
|---|---|
| Alexander Carrier | Out |
| Patrik Laine | Out |
Despite a few injuries, both teams still maintain strong forward depth entering the game.
Key Players to Watch
Nick Suzuki continues to lead Montreal’s offense with strong playmaking and consistent scoring. Cole Caufield remains one of the league’s most dangerous goal scorers and has been producing goals regularly.
For Columbus, Adam Fantilli has shown strong offensive development and continues to create scoring chances. Kirill Marchenko and Zach Werenski also provide important offensive contributions.
Key Players Table
| Team | Player | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Canadiens | Nick Suzuki | Captain and playmaker |
| Canadiens | Cole Caufield | Elite goal scorer |
| Canadiens | Juraj Slafkovsky | Top-line winger |
| Blue Jackets | Adam Fantilli | Offensive center |
| Blue Jackets | Kirill Marchenko | Scoring winger |
| Blue Jackets | Zach Werenski | Offensive defenseman |
Team Stats Comparison
| Category | Canadiens | Blue Jackets |
|---|---|---|
| Goals Scored | 275 | 245 |
| Goals Allowed | 246 | 246 |
| Recent Form | Strong | Struggling |
| Goal Differential | Positive | Near Even |
Montreal hold the advantage in scoring consistency and overall form entering the matchup.
Best Player Props
| Player | Prop Pick |
|---|---|
| Nick Suzuki | Over 1.5 Points |
| Cole Caufield | Anytime Goal |
| Adam Fantilli | Anytime Point |
These picks focus on players who are heavily involved in their teams’ offensive production.
Best Picks
| Bet Type | Pick |
|---|---|
| Moneyline | Canadiens |
| Total Goals | Over 6 |
| Player Prop | Nick Suzuki Over 1.5 Points |
Montreal’s strong form and home ice advantage make them the safer betting option.
Where to Watch Blue Jackets vs Canadiens
The game will be played at Bell Centre in Montreal and will be broadcast across several regional sports networks.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| TV Channel | Sportsnet East, TVAS, CITY |
| Venue | Bell Centre |
| Date | April 11, 2026 |
| Time | 7:00 p.m. ET |
Final Prediction
Montreal enter this matchup with strong momentum and have been one of the most consistent teams in the conference. Their offense continues to produce timely goals while their defensive structure allows them to control close games.
Columbus still have offensive talent capable of creating chances, but recent defensive struggles and inconsistent results make this a difficult matchup for them.
If Montreal continue their disciplined play and their top line performs well, they should have a clear path to another home victory.
Predicted Score
| Team | Score |
|---|---|
| Montreal Canadiens | 4 |
| Columbus Blue Jackets | 2 |
The Canadiens are expected to extend their strong run with another win at Bell Centre.
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