Nashville Predators vs Montreal Canadiens Injury Report

The Nashville Predators vs Montreal Canadiens matchup on October 16, 2025, at Bell Centre in Montreal, QC, kicks off the 2025-26 NHL season with high stakes. The game will be broadcast on espn+ and fdsso, ensuring fans across North America can tune in. Bettors should consider home ice advantage, recent form and advanced metrics when evaluating their wagers.

Core defenseman Nicolas Hague is on injured reserve with an upper body issue and is expected to return on October 23, 2025. His absence weakens Nashville's blue line, particularly on the penalty kill and puck transition. Without Hague's mobility and defensive IQ, the Predators may struggle against Montreal's top power play unit. You can review the complete NHL injury report on the league's official page latest NHL injuries.

Montreal posted a 55% home win rate in the 2024-25 season and leveraged stellar goaltending to stifle opponents. The Canadiens also converted 23.4% of their power play opportunities at Bell Centre. Considering Nashville's depleted defense, taking the over on total goals or Montreal on the puck line offers strong value. These insights help bettors make informed decisions based on injury impact and situational splits.

The Canadiens boast a deeper forward group, with core players like Kirby Dach and Nick Suzuki primed to exploit mismatches. Meanwhile, Nashville's bottom-six depth may lack the offensive firepower needed to keep pace, shifting attention to special teams. These contrasts should influence puck line and prop bets.

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