Montreal Canadiens @ 
Boston BruinsSince 1924, these two franchises have defined what it means to hate each other on the ice. They've played 943 games, the most between any two NHL teams in history. They've met in 34 playoff series, also a league record. Legends have been made and hearts have been broken in this rivalry, from the Maurice Richard Riot to Bobby Orr's iconic flying goal. Tonight, a new chapter gets written at TD Garden, where the Bruins are riding a six-game winning streak and the Canadiens are fighting for playoff positioning. There is no rivalry in hockey that matters more than this one.
The Story: Two Teams Headed in Opposite Directions... Or Are They?
The 2025-26 season looked like it might be a disaster for the Boston Bruins. After missing the playoffs for the first time since 2015-16, the organization brought in Marco Sturm as head coach and entered the season without even naming a captain for the first time since 2001-02. The Bruins started slowly, hovering around .500 for much of the first half. But something has clicked in January. Boston has won seven of their last eight games, including their current six-game winning streak. Jeremy Swayman has been sensational during this run, posting a 1.34 GAA and .951 save percentage over his last three starts. The Bruins suddenly look like a playoff team again.
Meanwhile, the Montreal Canadiens have been one of the league's biggest surprises. With a 28-16-7 record, they're third in the Atlantic Division and firmly in the playoff picture. Cole Caufield has emerged as one of the NHL's most dangerous goal scorers, with 26 goals and that clutch gene that makes him impossible to ignore in big moments. Lane Hutson, the Calder Trophy winner from last season, has been even better in year two, sitting at 9 goals and 52 points while becoming just the second-fastest defenseman in NHL history to reach 100 career assists. The rebuild in Montreal isn't coming. It's already arrived.
But here's the thing about the Bruins-Canadiens rivalry: records don't matter. History doesn't care about current form. When these two teams meet, chaos ensues. The last three meetings at TD Garden have all gone over the total. The Bruins won the season opener 6-4 in Boston, a wild back-and-forth affair that set the tone for what promises to be another heated season series. Montreal is 3-16 in their last 19 games against Boston, but they're a completely different team now than the rebuilding squads that got bullied by the Bruins. This one feels different.
All-Time Record: 943 games (most in NHL history)
Series Lead: Montreal leads 471-355-103-12
Playoff Series: 34 (most in NHL history), Montreal leads 25-9
Recent H2H: Boston won opener 6-4 in October
Last 19 Meetings: Boston is 16-3
Jeremy Swayman: The Goalie Who Silenced the Doubters
A year ago, Jeremy Swayman was the center of a contract controversy that threatened to derail his career. He held out through training camp, finally signed an eight-year, $66 million deal, and then proceeded to post career-worst numbers: a 22-29-7 record with a 3.11 GAA and .892 save percentage. Critics wondered if the contract was a massive mistake. The 26-year-old proved them all wrong by bouncing back this season with a vengeance.
Swayman's current season numbers are solid: 19-11-2 with a 2.77 GAA and .905 save percentage. But what those numbers don't show is how good he's been lately. Since Christmas, Swayman has just one regulation loss, going 5-1-1 with a 2.27 GAA and .919 save percentage. During the current six-game winning streak, he's been in net for three of those wins, posting an absurd 1.34 GAA and .951 save percentage. He even recorded his first shutout of the season on Tuesday, a 24-save blanking of the Detroit Red Wings. The Bruins live and die with their goaltending, and right now, Swayman is giving them life.
The question for tonight is whether Swayman can maintain this level of excellence against a Montreal offense that has been clicking. The Canadiens have scored 4+ goals in four of their last five games. Cole Caufield is on a four-game goal streak. Lane Hutson is averaging nearly a point per game. If there's a goaltender who can slow them down, it's a confident Swayman at home in TD Garden, but Montreal will test him in ways that Detroit and other recent opponents haven't.
Since Christmas: 5-1-1, 2.27 GAA, .919 SV%
Last 3 Starts: 3-0-0, 1.34 GAA, .951 SV%
Season Stats: 19-11-2, 2.77 GAA, .905 SV%
Latest: 24-save shutout vs Detroit (Jan 21)
The Star Power Showdown
Boston Bruins (29-20-2)Montreal Canadiens (28-16-7)David Pastrnak has been on an absolute tear in January. The Czech sniper has posted 4 goals and 19 points in 10 games this month, reminding everyone why he's one of the most dangerous offensive players in the world. At 28, Pastrnak is in his prime, on pace for his eighth consecutive point-per-game season. He was already named to represent the Czech Republic at the 2026 Winter Olympics, his first Olympic appearance. Tonight, he'll look to extend his dominance against a Canadiens team he's historically tormented.
But Montreal has star power of their own. Cole Caufield has fully arrived as an elite NHL scorer. His 26 goals and 50 points in 51 games put him on pace for a career-best 40-goal season. What makes Caufield truly special is his clutch gene: he has 21 game-winning goals in the third period or overtime since his debut in 2021, trailing only Leon Draisaitl, Sebastian Aho, Sidney Crosby, and Steven Stamkos during that span. When the game is on the line, there are few players in the league you'd rather have on your team.
Then there's Lane Hutson, the player who might be the most exciting young defenseman in hockey. At just 21, Hutson has already signed an eight-year, $70.8 million extension that keeps him in Montreal through 2034. He became the second-fastest defenseman in NHL history to record 100 assists, trailing only Sergei Zubov. His 52 points put him among the league leaders at his position, alongside Zach Werenski, Cale Makar, and Darren Raddysh as the only defensemen at a point-per-game pace this season. The Canadiens have their franchise cornerstone on the blue line.
The Betting Line Breakdown
The Bruins open as -120 favorites on the moneyline, with Montreal available at even money. That's a tight line for a home team with a six-game winning streak, suggesting oddsmakers see value in Montreal's recent form. The puck line sits at Boston -1.5 at +200, while the total is set at 6.5 goals. Given the historical trends in this rivalry at TD Garden, that over looks enticing.
Speaking of trends: the over has hit in 5 of Montreal's last 5 road games against Boston. That's not a coincidence. When these teams meet, emotions run high, the pace quickens, and goals happen. The season opener was a 6-4 Boston win. The Canadiens have scored 4+ goals in four of their last five games. Boston's offense has woken up during their winning streak. Everything points to another high-scoring affair.
The moneyline value depends on how you view Montreal's surge. At even money, you're getting a third-place Atlantic Division team with elite young talent at a coin-flip price against a home favorite. Boston has dominated this rivalry recently (16-3 in last 19 meetings), but this Montreal team is fundamentally different from those that got bullied. If you believe the Canadiens are for real, there's value. If you trust the Bruins' home ice advantage and Swayman's hot streak, the -120 price is reasonable.
Over Trend: O 6.5 has hit in 5 of last 5 MTL road games at Boston
Boston Dominance: 16-3 vs Montreal in last 19 meetings
Montreal's Form: 5-1 SU in last 6 as underdog
Bruins Streak: 7-1 SU in last 8 games
Bruins' Path to Victory
For Boston, the formula is simple: keep doing what they've been doing. Jeremy Swayman has been spectacular, the power play has started clicking, and David Pastrnak is playing some of the best hockey of his career. The Bruins need to control the pace, limit Montreal's transition opportunities, and make the Canadiens pay for any defensive mistakes. Home ice at TD Garden is a significant advantage in this rivalry, where the crowd's energy adds another dimension to an already intense atmosphere.
Defensively, the Bruins must contain Cole Caufield. The 5'7" sniper has an elite release that can beat any goaltender from anywhere in the offensive zone. Double-team him when possible. Force him to the perimeter. Don't give him clean looks from the slot. Lane Hutson presents a different challenge: his playmaking ability means the Bruins can't cheat too far toward the wings. It's a delicate balance that requires disciplined team defense.
The Bruins' winning streak has been built on a foundation of goaltending and timely scoring. If Swayman gives them another quality start, Boston's depth should be able to outscore Montreal's injury-depleted lineup. Getting to the Canadiens' backup goaltender with traffic in front and capitalizing on power play opportunities will be crucial. The Bruins have won seven of eight for a reason. They're playing their best hockey of the season at exactly the right time.
Canadiens' Path to Victory
Montreal needs their stars to be stars. Cole Caufield on a four-game goal streak needs to extend it to five. Lane Hutson, averaging nearly a point per game, needs to quarterback the power play and generate offense from the blue line. If the Canadiens' top players outperform Boston's top players, Montreal has a real shot to snap their road struggles against the Bruins.
Goaltending will be pivotal. Jakub Dobes has been solid when called upon, but he'll face a hostile TD Garden crowd and a Bruins offense that's been clicking. Montreal's defense needs to limit quality chances and clear rebounds efficiently. Every loose puck in front of Dobes is a potential goal against when David Pastrnak and Brad Marchand are lurking.
The Canadiens have been excellent when playing as underdogs, going 5-1 in their last six games in that role. They embrace the chip-on-the-shoulder mentality, and there's no bigger stage for that than a road game against the Bruins. If Montreal can survive the first period, weather the inevitable TD Garden storm, and keep the game close into the third period, their clutch performers can steal this one.
Keys To Victory
For the Bruins to win: Swayman needs to continue his hot streak, posting another sub-2.00 GAA game. Pastrnak must stay aggressive and create offense in transition. The power play needs to convert at least one opportunity, and the defense must limit Montreal's dangerous cycle game. If Boston plays their system and controls the puck, their talent advantage should prevail at home.
For the Canadiens to win: Caufield must find the back of the net, extending his goal streak to five games. Hutson needs to be dynamic on the power play and in transition. Goaltending has to be at least league-average, and Montreal must win the special teams battle. Taking a lead into the third period would be ideal, forcing Boston to press and opening up counterattack opportunities.
Final Thoughts
There's something special about Bruins-Canadiens that transcends regular season standings. This rivalry has existed for over 100 years, survived world wars and labor stoppages and franchise relocations that tore other rivalries apart. The hatred is real. The history is unmatched. And tonight, we get another chapter in the greatest rivalry in hockey history.
The Bruins enter on a six-game winning streak with their goaltender playing his best hockey of the season. Montreal brings a young, hungry team that has exceeded every expectation, led by one of the most exciting collections of young talent in the NHL. Cole Caufield is a 40-goal scorer in the making. Lane Hutson is a generational defenseman. David Pastrnak is an Olympic-caliber superstar. This game has all the ingredients for a classic.
If history is any guide, expect fireworks. The over has hit in five straight Montreal road games at Boston. The season opener was a 6-4 thriller. Both teams have potent offenses and neither plays particularly defensive hockey against their most hated rival. When Bruins and Canadiens meet, records don't matter, form doesn't matter, injuries barely matter. All that matters is winning the battle in front of you. That's what makes this rivalry eternal. That's what makes tonight must-see hockey.
