Nick Suzuki’s injury changes the fantasy outlook for tonight’s Canadiens–Blackhawks game. Montreal visits Chicago on Friday, October 23, 2026, without its leading scorer. The question is whether Cole Caufield and Juraj Slafkovský can generate the same chances with a different centre.
Oliver Kapanen centred them at Thursday’s practice, turning a depth forward into a possible top-line fantasy sleeper. Lane Hutson could also take on extra power-play responsibility.
Chicago’s Connor Bedard remains the most intriguing high-ceiling option, although the Blackhawks have struggled to score and defend. Teenage forward Anton Frondell leads their early scoring race. I’m watching how Montreal’s rebuilt top line responds against Chicago’s young offence.
My early edge is Montreal, with considerable uncertainty. Here are the deployment clues, player projections and score pick that matter tonight.
Montreal Canadiens vs. Chicago Blackhawks Game Information
NHL regular season • Friday, October 23, 2026
Canadiens
Blackhawks
Broadcast availability can change and regional restrictions may apply. Check your provider shortly before puck drop.
Montreal Canadiens vs. Chicago Blackhawks Fantasy Hockey Matchup Outlook
Montreal is 4-3-2 (10 points); Chicago is 3-6-0 (six). The Canadiens have scored 28 goals (3.11 per game) and allowed 34 (3.78). The Blackhawks have scored 21 (2.33) and conceded 36 (4.00). Those defensive numbers favour Montreal’s finishers, although losing Suzuki makes the visitors less predictable.
Both power plays have struggled: Montreal is at 13.8%, Chicago at 12.5%. Their penalty kills are at 78.4% and 74.1%. Small October samples can mislead. I care more about who gets Montreal’s vacated first-unit touches than a nine-game percentage.
Chicago is 3-2-0 at home; Montreal is 1-1-1 away. Montreal won both meetings last season, 3-2 on October 11 and 4-1 on December 18. Hutson had three assists in the latter, but tonight’s personnel differs.
NHL Fantasy Players to Watch in Canadiens vs. Blackhawks
Cole Caufield is my Montreal goal-scoring target. Six goals and 32 shots in nine games show reliable shooting volume. Can Kapanen supply the passes Suzuki usually delivers? I will track Caufield’s early chances before judging the new chemistry.
Oliver Kapanen is my sleeper. Thursday’s official Canadiens practice report placed him between Caufield and Juraj Slafkovský; that is not a confirmed lineup. Slafkovský’s strength can sustain possessions. Lane Hutson, with nine points, remains Montreal’s leading fantasy defenceman, while Noah Dobson offers upside if his power-play usage grows.
Connor Bedard still carries Chicago’s highest upside despite three early points. Last season he scored 75; in Chicago’s previous game he skated with Patrick Kane and Roman Kantserov. Anton Frondell leads this season with six, while Kane has five. On defence, watch Artyom Levshunov and Sam Rinzel for offensive-zone opportunities, without assuming tonight’s roles are confirmed.
Goaltender watch: An independent tracker projects Jacob Fowler (3-1-0, .900 save percentage, 2.16 GAA) against Spencer Knight (3-4-0, .888, 3.59). Neither starter is officially confirmed. I favour Montreal’s recent goalie form, subject to the pregame announcements.
NHLTradeRumor.com Fantasy Matchup Projection
Montreal • fantasy watch
Goal-scoring winger • possible PP1
High shot volume; tests a new top-line centre.
Offensive defence • PP creator
Nine early points; could shoulder more puck distribution.
Practice first-line centre • PP role uncertain
Chance to centre Caufield and Slafkovský.
Chicago • fantasy watch
Primary offensive threat • PP usage
Elite ceiling despite a slow three-point start.
Veteran creator • recent PP1 usage
Four assists; watch chemistry with Bedard.
Young top-six option • PP role to verify
Chicago’s current points leader (six).
Projection method: Editorial single-game point ranges based on opportunity, early production and matchup conditions; not a guarantee. These projections assume the player dresses and receives meaningful minutes.
Top Five Canadiens and Blackhawks Fantasy Scorers This Season
Montreal’s index starts with injured Suzuki’s 12 points, followed by Hutson (nine), Caufield (eight), Slafkovský (seven) and Josh Anderson (six, tied with Zachary Bolduc). Chicago is led by Frondell (six), Bertuzzi, Teräväinen and Kane (five each), and Nazar (four).
Last season’s top five show the longer-term ceiling: Montreal — Suzuki (29-72-101), Caufield (51-37-88), Hutson (12-66-78), Slafkovský (30-43-73), Demidov (19-43-62). Chicago — Bedard (30-45-75), Bertuzzi (32-26-58), Nazar (15-26-41), Ilya Mikheyev (18-18-36), Teräväinen (14-21-35). These are 2025–26 G-A-P totals, not tonight’s roster or 2026–27 production.
NHLTradeRumor.com Scoring Index: Each player’s point total is indexed against his team’s leading scorer. This visualization describes past production and is not a future projection. Through games of October 22, 2026. Ties for fifth are resolved by table order.
Injuries and Absences That Could Affect Fantasy Value
The biggest confirmed loss is Nick Suzuki. Montreal announced that its captain will miss two to four weeks with an upper-body injury, ending his 546-game ironman streak. Kapanen could inherit top-line minutes, but Caufield and Slafkovský lose familiar playmaking chemistry. Montreal has also recalled Owen Beck.
Ivan Demidov and Samuel Montembeault are out with lower-body injuries. Demidov’s absence reduces secondary creativity; Montembeault’s raises the importance of Fowler and Jakub Dobeš. Mike Matheson is day-to-day, potentially redistributing defence minutes. Florian Xhekaj, Lucas Condotta and Bryce Pickford also appear on injury lists.
Chicago lists Bowen Byram (upper body), Andrew Mangiapane (lower body) and Ryan Ellis (long-term back injury). Missing Byram can create young-defenceman opportunities; Mangiapane’s absence opens forward minutes. Frank Nazar has completed his earlier two-game suspension and is available.
Montreal Canadiens vs. Chicago Blackhawks Fantasy Hockey Prediction
MY SCORE PREDICTION: Montreal Canadiens 4 – Chicago Blackhawks 3.
I lean Montreal because Chicago is allowing four goals per game and Caufield, Slafkovský and Hutson give the visitors several attacking routes. But losing Suzuki means losing the connector for much of that offence. Chicago’s defensive struggles do not guarantee a comfortable Canadiens victory.
Bedard and Kane can exploit mistakes, Frondell is producing, and the Blackhawks have had more rest. Both penalty kills offer opportunities, yet neither power play is consistently converting. Special-teams execution could swing this game more than the season records.
I favour Fowler’s early numbers if he starts, but neither goalie is confirmed. My 4-3 projection assumes Montreal’s reworked top line creates enough chances to overcome a competitive Chicago offence.
What matters more than the score: Kapanen’s time with Caufield and Slafkovský, Hutson’s PP1 partners and Bedard’s shifts alongside Kane. Those answers could guide fantasy decisions beyond tonight.
How to Watch Montreal Canadiens vs. Chicago Blackhawks
Puck drop is Friday, October 23, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. CT / 6:00 p.m. MT at Chicago’s United Center. In Canada, TSN2 and French-language RDS carry regional coverage; eligible out-of-market viewers should check their premium NHL package.
In the U.S., NHL Network has the national listing, with CHSN in Chicago. A blackout means another broadcaster holds exclusive rights in your location, so some streams will not work everywhere. Radio: TSN 690 (Montreal) and WGN 720 (Chicago). Verify your provider before puck drop.
For game-day coverage, visit our Montreal Canadiens TV schedule, Chicago Blackhawks TV schedule and 2026–27 NHL point leaders. While you’re here, join our NHL Fantasy Hockey Pool to test your GM skills against other fans and compete for ultimate bragging rights.
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