Game 8: Montreal Canadiens @ Calgary Flames
Start time: **8:30 PM EDT / 5:30 PM PDT**
In Canada: Sportsnet (English)
In the Canadiens region: RDS (French)
Streaming: ESPN+, Sportsnet+, RDS
Offence was difficult to come by last year for the Calgary Flames. They finished the season with 220 goals, ranking 29th in the NHL. In 2025-26, finding the net has been almost impossible for the club as it averages just 1.57 per contest, about a full goal less than the San Jose Sharks’ league-low production a season ago.
The top of the Flames’ scoring list features Nazem Kadri on four points. The Montreal Canadiens have 10 players with at least that many through seven games and five skaters with more. The Habs have a clear advantage in this game in terms of offence, and that edge extends onto the defensive side as well.
With the Canadiens still dealing with some injuries, they’ve turned to the Laval Rocket for some reinforcements. Marc Del Gaizo, who played 46 NHL games for the Nashville Predators last season and registered nine points, is with the team in case they need an extra body on defence. At forward, Joshua Roy is up with the team to take Owen Beck’s spot, and expected to make his season debut. Roy and Martin St-Louis will be hoping he can show that he can play the up-tempo style Montreal has been finding success with through seven games.
Montreal Canadiens projected lineup
| Left Wing |
Centre |
Right Wing |
| #13 Cole Caufield |
#14 Nick Suzuki |
#20 Juraj Slafkovský |
| #15 Alex Newhook |
#91 Oliver Kapanen |
#93 Ivan Demidov |
| #17 Josh Anderson |
#71 Jake Evans |
#11 Brendan Gallagher |
| #76 Zachary Bolduc |
#90 Joe Veleno |
#89 Joshua Roy |
| Left Defence |
Right Defence |
| #8 Mike Matheson |
#53 Noah Dobson |
| #47 Jayden Struble |
#48 Lane Hutson |
| #72 Arber Xhekaj |
#45 Alexandre Carrier |
| Starter |
Backup |
| #75 Jakub Dobeš |
#35 Samuel Montembeault |
Scratched: Marc Del Gaizo
Injured: Kirby Dach, Kaiden Guhle. Patrik Laine
Calgary Flames projected lineup
| Left Wing |
Centre |
Right Wing |
| Jonathan Huberdeau |
Nazem Kadri |
Joel Farabee |
| Blake Coleman |
Mikael Backlund |
Matt Coronato |
| Samuel Honzek |
Morgan Frost |
Connor Zary |
| Ryan Lomberg |
Justin Kirkland |
Adam Klapka |
| Left Defence |
Right Defence |
| Kevin Bahl |
Rasmus Andersson |
| Jake Bean |
Mackenzie Weekar |
| Joel Hanley |
Zayne Parekh |
| Starter |
Backup |
| Dustin Wolf |
Devin Cooley |
