Tonight, at the Bell Centre in Montreal, the Vegas Golden Knights face off against the Montreal Canadiens in a highly anticipated matchup. Both teams are looking to assert their dominance and solidify their positions in their respective divisions.

The Golden Knights, leading the Pacific Division with 62 points, have recently experienced a rough patch, losing three of their last four games. Their most recent defeat was a humbling 7-1 loss to the Ottawa Senators. The Canadiens, sitting just one point behind the Knights, are eager to climb back into the top three of the competitive Atlantic Division after a loss to the Bruins.

The Canadiens have generally fared well against teams from the Pacific Division, holding an 8-2-0 record. This includes a 4-1 victory over the Golden Knights in Las Vegas back in November. While the Golden Knights had previously dominated the series since the 2021 playoffs, the Canadiens have now won the last two encounters.

Key players to watch include Cole Caufield of the Canadiens, who leads the NHL with eight goals since January 15th, and Pavel Dorofeyev of the Golden Knights, who is tied for third in the league with five goals in his last six games. Jack Eichel leads the Golden Knights in assists (42) and points (61) this season.

Projected lineups suggest that Jakub Dobes will start in goal for the Canadiens, while Akira Schmid is a possible starter for the Golden Knights, potentially replacing Adin Hill after his recent struggles.

The Canadiens will be without Patrik Laine, who will be a scratch alongside Jayden Struble, Joe Veleno, and Sammy Blais. Arber Xhekaj will be in the lineup, bringing a physical presence to the Canadiens' defense.

Statistically, the Golden Knights rank eighth in expected goals for per 60 minutes (xGF/60) and first in expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60). This makes them one of the top teams in expected goal share. The Canadiens, while showing recent improvements, will need to overcome the Golden Knights' strong play in all three zones.

The Golden Knights are favored to win, with moneyline odds at -125, while the Canadiens are at +105. The over/under is set at 6.5 goals.

This game holds significant weight for both teams. The Golden Knights are looking to end their losing streak and maintain their lead in the Pacific Division, while the Canadiens are aiming to regain a top-three spot in the Atlantic Division. With a mix of experience and emerging talent on both sides, the game promises to be a hard-fought battle.