Hockey fans in Sunrise, Florida, are in for a treat as the Florida Panthers get set to host the Montreal Canadiens tonight at Amerant Bank Arena. The puck drops at 7 p.m. EST, marking the first meeting between these two Atlantic Division contenders in the 2025-26 NHL season. Both squads enter this clash riding waves of momentum—and, let’s be honest, a few question marks—after dramatic recent outings that showcased their offensive firepower and late-game resilience.
The Panthers, now 21-15-2 and fourth in the Atlantic, are coming off a thrilling 5-3 victory over the Washington Capitals on Monday night. That game saw Sam Reinhart step up in a big way, netting two goals and adding an assist. According to ESPN, Reinhart has "scored multiple points in 5 games since Dec. 13," and his knack for showing up in clutch moments has been a major storyline for Florida this month. Anton Lundell’s steady production—13 goals and 17 assists on the season—adds another layer to the Panthers’ offensive threat, while Sam Bennett has chipped in with six goals and five assists over his last 10 games.
For the Canadiens, the story has been one of grit and comeback spirit. Montreal, sitting at 20-12-6 and third in the Atlantic, is in the thick of a grueling seven-game road trip. Their most recent outing was a 5-4 shootout loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning—a game that saw the Habs claw back from a 4-1 deficit to tie things up with just four seconds left in regulation. While they couldn’t seal the deal in the shootout, the Canadiens did take the point and proved, yet again, that they’re never out of a game. Cole Caufield continues to be the engine, leading the club with 18 goals and 19 assists, while Ivan Demidov has been hot lately, tallying four goals and six assists in his last 10 contests.
Montreal’s resilience is reflected in their recent numbers. Over their last five road games, they’ve averaged a robust 4.20 goals per game, and on this road trip alone, they’ve already scored 13 goals. Their last 10 games show a 5-2-3 record, with 3.5 goals per contest and a defensive effort allowing just 2.7 goals per game. The Canadiens’ ability to generate offense on the fly has been impressive, but consistency on defense remains a concern—they rank 23rd in goals against league-wide, and their penalty kill is tied for 21st.
The Panthers, meanwhile, have found their groove offensively as well, averaging 3.92 goals per game over their last 12 outings. They are 9-3 in their last 12 games and have seen the total go over in four of their last five home games, according to recent betting trends. But discipline could be an issue—Florida ranks third in the NHL with 175 total penalties, averaging 4.6 per game. If the Canadiens’ power play, tied for seventh in the league, can capitalize, this could be a key factor tonight.
Both teams have had to navigate the injury bug. Montreal is missing several key players, with Jake Evans, Kirby Dach, Kaiden Guhle, Patrik Laine, and Alex Newhook all on injured reserve. Florida isn’t immune either, as Matthew Tkachuk, Jonah Gadjovich, Tomas Nosek, Cole Schwindt, Dmitry Kulikov, and Aleksander Barkov are sidelined. Despite these absences, both rosters have managed to keep their heads above water, thanks in part to depth scoring and strong goaltending performances when it matters most.
Speaking of goaltenders, tonight’s projected matchup features Sam Montembeault for Montreal and Daniil Tarasov for Florida. Montembeault, making his first NHL start since a conditioning stint with AHL Laval, has had a rocky start to the season but now has a chance to reestablish himself. Tarasov, serving as Sergei Bobrovsky’s backup, has played just four games this month and posted an .885 save percentage over his last five outings. The Panthers have previously responded well in back-to-back home games, most notably with a 4-1 win over the New York Islanders in a similar scenario earlier this season.
Betting lines as of December 30, 2025, have the Panthers favored at -1.5 on the spread and -127 on the money line, with the over/under set at 6.5 goals. The Canadiens are +1.5 on the puck line and +122 on the money line. Recent history between these teams is a mixed bag: Montreal is 5-0 straight up in its last five games against Florida, but just 2-9 in its last 11 visits to Sunrise. For the Panthers, home ice has been kind—they’re 13-8-2 at Amerant Bank Arena this season.
Statistically, the Canadiens boast the sixth-best scoring offense in the league, but their negative two goal differential hints at defensive lapses. The Panthers are 12th in scoring and tied for 17th in goals against, with a modest plus-three goal differential. Special teams could play a pivotal role, as Florida’s penalty kill is ranked sixth, while their power play sits at 18th. Montreal’s power play has been a strength, but they struggled to convert in Tampa, going 0-for-4 in their last outing.
Players and coaches from both sides have been quick to point out the challenges and opportunities this matchup presents. According to Data Skrive, "The Panthers rank third in league play with 175 total penalties (averaging 4.6 per game)." That’s a stat the Canadiens will surely try to exploit. On the flip side, the Panthers’ recent ability to pile on goals late—scoring three straight in the third period against the Capitals—shows they can turn a game on its head in a hurry.
As both teams prepare for this Atlantic Division showdown, the stakes are high. Florida is looking to leapfrog Montreal in the standings, while the Canadiens aim to keep their road trip rolling and prove that their comeback in Tampa was no fluke. With both offenses firing and plenty of storylines to follow, fans can expect an entertaining, high-scoring affair—though, with both teams’ inconsistencies, anything can happen once the puck drops.
With so much on the line and both clubs hungry for points, tonight’s tilt in Sunrise promises to be a must-watch. The Panthers will try to ride the momentum of their latest win, while the Canadiens hope to finally turn their late-game magic into a full two points. Don’t blink—this one could come down to the wire!
