The 2026 Heritage Classic outdoor game heads to Princess Auto Stadium as the Winnipeg Jets host the Montreal Canadiens, and my Canadiens vs. Jets prediction and NHL picks expect the top lines to make some outside noise.
Puck drop is 7 p.m. ET on TNT and Sportsnet on Sunday, Oct. 25.
Canadiens vs Jets prediction: Jets ML
Let's take the home dog at 49%, where I have the fair price as a slight favorite. This isn't a typical home game; the contest is being played outdoors at a football stadium, but the Winnipeg Jets are motivated now that the Connor Hellebuyck distractions are over.
On the other side, the Montreal Canadiens just played their first game without their leader and No. 1 player, Nick Suzuki. I treat that first game like a team playing on adrenaline, with the effects eventually wearing off.
The 4-1 win over the Blackhawks, where Montreal got most of its production from the fourth line, was the adrenaline game.
The Habs should come back down to earth Sunday and remain a very weak group down the middle. I expect a low-scoring game with very little depth scoring on either side, which creates value on the underdog.
Higher-than-normal temperatures and Friday rain could also slow the ice. That hurts the Canadiens more, as they rely on speed more than Winnipeg.
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TOP PICK Canadiens vs Jets combo
This game features two of the most top-heavy teams in hockey. Suzuki's injury makes the Habs' offense much weaker and even more reliant on their top line. Winnipeg might also be the most top-heavy offense in hockey.
If you want a bigger payout and two-way scoring, a four-player point combo featuring Mark Scheifele, Kyle Connor, Cole Caufield, and Juraj Slafkovsky makes plenty of sense.
A big game should have some NHL-style power plays, and all four players can benefit. The big names show up on the big stage.
Canadiens vs Jets combo
- Mark Scheifele Over 0.5 points
- Kyle Connor Over 0.5 points
- Juraj Slafkovsky Over 0.5 points
- Cole Caufield Over 0.5 points
COVERS INTEL: Winnipeg's top line has accounted for 58% of the Jets' goals, while Montreal's top line has scored 38% of the team's goals.Canadiens vs Jets player prop: Oliver Kapanen Over 0.5 points
Oliver Kapanen is getting top-line minutes with Nick Suzuki injured and shouldn't be priced over 50% to score. He played over 15 minutes in his last game, his first in the new role, but Montreal used its fourth line more than usual against the Blackhawks. That 15 minutes could easily turn into 17 tonight.
He's centering Juraj Slafkovsky and Mr. Saturday Night himself, Caufield, who will have to transform into Mr. Sunday. This is simply a mispriced point prop for a player getting a significant upgrade in offensive opportunity.
Canadiens vs Jets goal scorer: Cole Caufield
Mr. Saturday Night has turned his attention to Sunday. Kyle Connor is the Jets' goal scorer, but Caufield is the biggest name who can bury one on the big stage.
The Jets rank in the bottom half of the league in expected goals against, and Montreal can still flirt with four goals despite losing Suzuki. It might be the most bet-on AGS of the day, but the NHL wants Caufield to score, and both top lines are finding the scoresheet.
Caufield has accounted for 18% of Montreal's goals this season, which is exactly where his goal share finished last year after scoring 51.
- Top picks: 27-27, +6.90 units
Canadiens vs Jets odds
For help understanding probabilities, see our odds calculator.
- Moneyline: Canadiens 52% | Jets 49%
- Over/Under: Over 5.5 | Under 5.5
- Spread: Canadiens -1.5 | Jets +1.5
For the full slate of NHL matchups, check out our NHL odds board!
Canadiens vs Jets trend
The Under is 5-0 in the Jets' last five games as an underdog. Find more NHL betting trends.
How to watch Canadiens vs Jets
| Location | Princess Auto Stadium, Winnipeg, Manitoba |
| Date | Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026 |
| Puck drop | 7 p.m. ET |
| TV | TNT, SN |
Canadiens vs Jets 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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