On Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at 10 p.m. ET, the Montreal Canadiens will clash with the Vancouver Canucks at the Rogers Arena, marking a significant game for both teams as they jockey for playoff positions.
Entering this match, the Montreal Canadiens carry a record of 30-27-6 and face mounting pressure to turn their fortunes around quickly. They’ve experienced back-to-back losses during their Western Canadian trip, falling 3-2 to the Edmonton Oilers and then suffering a frustrating 1-0 defeat against the Calgary Flames. With their playoff hopes hanging by a thread, the Canadiens need to find consistency and capitalize on every opportunity.
To shake things up, head coach Martin St-Louis made key lineup changes, bringing goaltender Samuel Montembeault off the bench to replace rookie Jakub Dobes, who performed admirably yet couldn't secure wins. Montembeault has been on fire lately, going undefeated in regulation over his last five starts with four wins and one overtime loss, providing the Canadiens with new vigor as they enter this high-stakes matchup. Coach St-Louis stated, "We are at the point where every game is of utmost importance, and we need Montembeault's experience as we push for the playoffs."
Adding to the offense will be Joshua Roy, who was recalled to flank the second line after scoring his 20th goal for the Laval Rocket earlier this season. "His goal-scoring ability gives us some much-needed offensive potential, and we are hoping he can make an immediate impact," said St-Louis before the game.
Meanwhile, the Canucks, with a record of 29-23-11, are struggling on the ice as well, having lost several key games. They are currently ranked 27th with only 2.71 goals per game and have shot output issues, coming up last at 31st with just 25.5 shots per game. Their challenges have taken them out of the playoff contention race, and frustrations are evident. Head coach Rick Tocchet reacted strongly to the team's poor performance against the Dallas Stars—where prominent players like Brock Boeser, Elias Pettersson, and Jake DeBrusk failed to make significant contributions—indicating potential lineup reshuffles. "You’ve got to earn your ice time, it’s how you win. We need to see more urgency from our top players," Tocchet was quoted as saying during his media scrum.
The dynamics within the Canucks rose to the surface when Tocchet reduced the ice time of DeBrusk, the team’s leading scorer with 22 goals. This measure aimed to spark improvement among his forwards, but questions linger on how depth players will respond. Boeser has been especially disappointing, mired by an eight-game goal drought and facing scrutiny over his future with the team. "It's been hard for me, but I just need to focus on getting back to my game. We're still pushing for the playoffs, which is what matters," he shared.
On the injury front, the Canucks are dealing with several key players sidelined. Quinn Hughes continues to recover from his lower body injury, though he participated partially at morning skate wearing a red non-contact jersey. Tocchet expressed optimism about Hughes's return but confirmed he wouldn’t play against the Canadiens. "It was a good day for him. We're playing it safe, though, because his safety is our priority," Tocchet commented.
The projected lineups for the game show noteworthy changes. The Canadiens will see Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, and Juraj Slafkovsky as their top line, aiming to leverage their successful chemistry against the Canucks. On the second line, the newly paired Joshua Roy and Alex Newhook will attempt to generate offensive production alongside veteran Brendan Gallagher. The Canucks' lineup will include O’Connor, Pettersson, and Boeser as their top line aimed at reverting their scoring woes.
Fans can tune to TSN2, RDS, and Sportsnet Pacific for live coverage of this climactic game, which is expected to be electric. Only four points separate the Canadiens from competing for the second Wild Card spot, and the urgency to secure points against their rivals is palpable.
Looking at predictions, analysts suggest the Canucks will edge the Canadiens 3-2 with the expectation of desperation leading to perspiration. This could signal the turning of tides for both teams, depending on how they respond to pressure during the match.