The Colorado Avalanche visit the Montreal Canadiens with Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar questionable after both sustained lower-body injuries Thursday. This marks the first meeting between these teams this season.
Our Avalanche vs. Canadiens prediction is that the gaping hole in the Avs' lineup will be too much to overcome against Jacob Fowler and the Canadiens, with Lane Hutson primed to dish out assists as he has all season.
Let's dive into our NHL picks for Saturday, Nov. 14.
Avalanche vs Canadiens prediction: Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens are undefeated in regulation since mid-October.
They dominated the Boston Bruins on Thursday and are 8-0-2 in their last 10 games. Jacob Fowler, the new frontrunner in the Calder Trophy odds, is second in the NHL in goals saved above expected (13.7).
The Colorado Avalanche are likely missing both Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar. They're just 4-5-1 on the road this season and haven't beaten a team above .500 since October 28.
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Avalanche vs Canadiens combo
Lane Hutson has recorded seven assists across an active five-game streak at home. He has a helper in six of his last seven overall, ranking fifth among all defensemen in assists since January 1.
Cole Caufield has recorded 40 shots on a ridiculous 71 attempts over his last 10 home games, hitting the Over in seven. He's attempted at least six shots in eight of his last nine at the Bell Centre.
Avalanche vs Canadiens combo
- Montreal moneyline
- Lane Hutson Over 0.5 assists
- Cole Caufield Over 2.5 shots
TOP PICK
Avalanche vs Canadiens player prop: Lane Hutson Over 0.5 assists
Hutson leads the Canadiens in assists (15) and has recorded eight in his last seven games. He's producing 1.91 assists per 60 minutes and leads the Canadiens in average ice time (24:47).
The 2024-25 Calder Trophy recipient has three assists in four career games against the Avalanche.
Colorado ranks 16th in goals against per game (3.1).
COVERS INTEL: Since entering the league, only three defensemen have recorded an assist in a higher percentage of games than Hutson (54.6%). He's one of just seven defensemen with an assist in at least half of their games played since 2024-25.Avalanche vs Canadiens goal scorer: Cole Caufield
Mr. Saturday night at the Bell Centre, need I say more? Caufield has 25 goals in 28 Saturday games since the beginning of last season and trails only Leon Draisaitl in goals since 2024-25.
He has seven goals in his last seven home games and has scored in 58.1% of home games since January 1 — the third-highest rate in the NHL.
He leads the Canadiens in expected goals (8.2) and goals per 60 minutes (2.06), the latter ranking seventh among all skaters.
- Top picks: 19-14, +6.95 units
- Combos: 5-17, +6.10 units
Avalanche vs Canadiens odds
For help understanding probabilities, see our odds calculator.
- Moneyline: Avalanche 47% | Canadiens 54%
- Over/Under: Over 6.5 (49%) | Under 6.5 (52%)
- Spread: Avalanche +1.5 (69%) | Canadiens -1.5 (33%)
For the full slate of NHL matchups, check out our NHL odds board!
Avalanche vs Canadiens trend
Each of the last three meetings has gone Over, while Montreal has won four of the last six. Find more NHL betting trends.
How to watch Avalanche vs Canadiens
| Location | Centre Bell, Montreal, Quebec |
| Date | Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026 |
| Puck drop | 7 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN+, ALT2, KTVD, SNE, TVAS |
Avalanche vs Canadiens latest injuries
Check out our NHL injuries page for updates on every team.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
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