Chicago Blackhawks vs Montreal Canadiens Prediction, 12/18/2025 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Chicago Blackhawks vs Montreal Canadiens

Date: Thursday, December 18, 2025

Location: Bell Centre in Montreal, QC

TV: TSN2

Odds/Point Spread: Blackhawks (+132) Canadiens (-160)

Bell Centre is the location where the Montreal Canadiens (17-12-4) will compete against the Chicago Blackhawks (13-14-6) on Thursday. The odds on this game have Chicago at +132 while Montreal is sitting at -160. The over/under is set at 6.5.

The Chicago Blackhawks will need a bounce back game after taking a 3-2 loss against the Maple Leafs their last time out. Chicago accounted for 6 penalty minutes for this matchup. Additionally, they had 1 power play opportunity but weren't able to notch a goal. The Blackhawks didn't have a great showing offensively in this loss. For the game, they netted 2 of the 25 shots they attempted.

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When playing at even strength, the Blackhawks have given up 81 goals while having 73 as an offensive unit. Chicago Blackhawks opponents have 112 power play opportunities (4th in professional hockey) and have a total of 18 goals in those chances. Pertaining to their scoring capabilities, the Chicago Blackhawks have racked up 93 goals (24th in the National Hockey League) on the year and have given up 99. Chicago has taken 843 shots and holds a shooting percentage of 11.0%. For the season, they sit with 32 points and their points % is .485. The Blackhawks so far have had 997 shots taken against them and have a save percentage of .901. Chicago has accumulated 94 power play chances and they have tallied 20 goals out of those chances, garnering them a rate of 21.28%.

The player guarding the cage in this matchup is Spencer Knight. Opponents have scored 310 goals versus Knight in his pro career and his average for goals against per game is 2.87. Knight has been in goal for 118 games over the course of his hockey career. His save percentage currently is at .906 in his 5,093 mins between the pipes. He has compiled an overall record of 59-41-14 and he was named the starter in 108 games. In his professional hockey career, Knight has 56 quality starts and his quality starts percentage sits at .519. Knight has had 3,299 shots against him and has accrued 2,989 saves.

When they were on the ice last, Montreal squared up with the Flyers in a game where the Canadiens were on the wrong end of the score by a mark of 4-1. The Canadiens scored 1 goal of the 22 shots on goal they took. They had 1 opportunity on the power play in this one but weren't able to put one in the back of the net.

The Canadiens have accumulated 80 goals at even strength and 24 goals (9th in professional hockey) while having more men on the ice. Montreal has attempted 830 shots (29th in the NHL) and has accumulated a shooting percentage of 12.53%, while allowing the opposition 906 shots. On the season, the Montreal Canadiens have notched a total of 104 goals, 38 points, and a points percentage of .576. They have permitted 115 goals to be scored by way of 90 goals at even strength and 25 goals while they had less men on the ice. They have earned 92 power play opportunities and they have earned a power play percentage of 26.09%. They have accumulated a penalty kill percentage of 76.85% on the other teams 108 power play tries, and their save percentage currently sits at 87.3%.

Across the ice you are going to see Jakub Dobes in goal. Dobes has amassed a career mark of 18-9-5 and has been in net for 34 games. Dobes' quality start percentage comes out to 56.3% and he has earned 18 quality starting assignments in his pro hockey career. He has accounted for 820 stops out of the 911 shots attempted against him, giving him a save percentage of .900. Teams are averaging 2.84 goals/game and he has surrendered 91 goals in total. He got the starting nod in 32 games and has accumulated 890 minutes.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Josh's Pick: Take Chicago (+132)

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