The Florida Panthers will face the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at 7 p.m. ET at the Bell Centre. This matchup is particularly significant as both teams are vying for playoff positions, with the Panthers coming off strong recent performances and the Canadiens needing to bolster their postseason hopes.
The Panthers, currently at 41-22-3, have been on fire lately, winning 12 of their last 15 games. They are coming off a close victory against the Toronto Maple Leafs, where Sam Bennett scored two power-play goals. Sam Reinhart leads the Panthers with 32 goals, and Aleksander Barkov is the top playmaker with 43 assists. The team boasts one of the top offenses and defenses, ranking seventh and ninth, respectively.
On the other side, the Montreal Canadiens hold a record of 31-27-7. They previously achieved impressive momentum after winning five consecutive games post-All-Star break but have faltered recently, losing three out of their last four. Currently, the Canadiens sit at 10th place in the Eastern Conference, just one point behind the Columbus Blue Jackets for the final playoff spot.
The first matchup of the season between these two teams resulted decisively in favor of the Canadiens, with them taking the game 4-0. Rookie goaltender Jakub Dobes turned heads by achieving a shutout with 34 saves during his debut. This time, the Canadiens will field Samuel Montembeault as their starting goaltender.
Lately, the Canadiens lineup has seen some changes, including the return of right winger Joel Armia from injury and the anticipation of forward Patrik Laine's return, enhancing the team’s offensive capabilities. Michael Pezzetta will be scratched to make room as Laine joins the team. The Canadiens will rely heavily on their young core, with Cole Caufield leading the team with 32 goals, followed closely by Nick Suzuki’s impressive total of 49 assists.
Despite the challenges they face, the Canadiens are ready to leverage the momentum gained during their strong early-season stretch. They will also be intent on improving their secondary scoring, with much focus on Jake Evans, who has tied his career-high point total of 29 but has only managed two points since the 4 Nations.
For Florida, the season has not been without its setbacks. They will be missing key players including Matthew Tkachuk due to injury and Aaron Ekblad, who is serving a 20-game suspension for performance-enhancing drug use. New addition Brad Marchand remains out as well, providing the Panthers with additional challenges as they look to maintain their strong performance.
With these dynamics at play, betting odds favor the Panthers, who have line odds of -207, whereas the Canadiens find themselves at +171. The spread favorite is set with the Panthers at -1.5, and the total points over/under is 5.5. Data Skrive predicts the final score to be Florida Panthers 4, Montreal Canadiens 3, reflecting both teams' offensive prowess.
Live coverage of the game will be available on various platforms, including NHL Network, with streaming options available through Fubo. Fans eager to catch the game can also check ticket availability for last-minute opinions.
The stakes are high as these two Atlantic Division foes clash once more, not only for pride but also for the potential impact on the playoff picture. The Canadiens look to rekindle their earlier success against the Panthers, and the Panthers aim to assert their dominance on their way toward the postseason.
Every detail, from the players' health to the predictions, will shape the game's narrative. Neither team can afford to let down their guard, knowing every point counts as they race to secure playoff spots. Following this game, both teams will look to analyze performances as they prepare for additional matchups slated for later this season on March 30th and April 1st.