The Montreal Canadiens and Winnipeg Jets meet outdoors on Sunday, October 25, 2026, and fantasy hockey managers have more to consider than the atmosphere surrounding the Heritage Classic.
Nick Suzuki is injured. Connor Hellebuyck is now a New Jersey Devil. And two of the NHL’s most dangerous goal scorers, Cole Caufield and Kyle Connor, are preparing for a matchup that could produce some fascinating fantasy results.
For Montreal, the biggest question is how much offensive responsibility Caufield, Juraj Slafkovský and Lane Hutson can absorb without Suzuki and Ivan Demidov. For Winnipeg, I’m watching whether Connor’s exceptional scoring start can overcome the Jets’ offensive inconsistencies.
The Canadiens arrive with a 5-3-2 record, while Winnipeg is 4-3-3. Montreal has scored more frequently, but the Jets have been better defensively and more efficient on the power play.
I see legitimate scoring opportunities on both sides, although outdoor conditions introduce another variable.
My biggest fantasy storyline? Which team’s top offensive players will control the power play, and whether Winnipeg’s new chapter following the Hellebuyck trade provides an immediate spark.
Montreal Canadiens vs. Winnipeg Jets Game Information
The 2026 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic takes place at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
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Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET, with national television coverage in Canada and the United States.
Unlike a typical October matchup, weather, wind and ice conditions could influence passing, puck movement and goaltending.
Those factors matter for fantasy managers because even a small change in shooting conditions can alter the value of offensive players who rely heavily on precision.
Montreal Canadiens vs. Winnipeg Jets Fantasy Hockey Matchup Outlook
Montreal enters the game with 32 goals scored and 35 allowed through 10 contests, averaging 3.20 goals for and 3.50 against.
Winnipeg has scored 26 and surrendered 29, averaging 2.60 goals for and 2.90 against.
That gives Montreal the better overall scoring rate, but Winnipeg the defensive advantage.
The special-teams comparison is particularly interesting.
Winnipeg’s power play is operating at 22.2%, compared with Montreal’s 12.5%. Both clubs have penalty-killing percentages around 81%.
I wouldn’t automatically interpret Montreal’s higher scoring average as proof it will generate more fantasy points tonight.
Suzuki’s absence changes the Canadiens’ offensive structure considerably. Losing an elite distributor can reduce shot quality even when a team maintains possession.
Winnipeg, meanwhile, needs to improve its five-on-five production. The Jets have lost four consecutive games, although their most recent defeat was a narrow 3-2 overtime loss in Dallas.
There is also some useful head-to-head context. Montreal won both 2025–26 meetings, including a 5-1 victory in Winnipeg on February 4, 2026.
I give that history modest weight because the personnel and goaltending circumstances have changed.
My fantasy takeaway: Winnipeg’s power-play advantage and Montreal’s injury problems could be decisive, but the Canadiens have enough individual scoring talent to exploit the Jets’ defensive coverage.
NHL Fantasy Players to Watch in Montreal Canadiens vs. Winnipeg Jets
Cole Caufield — Montreal’s Most Important Goal-Scoring Threat
Caufield has six goals and eight points through 10 games, along with 36 shots on goal.
His shot volume is what interests me most.
Although Suzuki’s absence removes an important playmaker, Caufield should remain a central figure in Montreal’s offensive approach.
Oliver Kapanen was used between Caufield and Slafkovský in the Canadiens’ latest reported top-line combination.
I expect Montreal to work hard to create shooting opportunities for Caufield, especially on the power play.
Juraj Slafkovský — Increased Offensive Responsibility
Slafkovský has two goals and five assists for seven points.
With Suzuki unavailable, his ability to protect pucks, create space and extend offensive-zone possessions becomes more valuable.
He could benefit from increased responsibility, although a new centre combination might also require an adjustment period.
I consider him a solid point-producing candidate rather than an automatic multi-point selection.
Lane Hutson — Montreal’s Fantasy Defence Leader
Hutson has nine points, including seven assists, through 10 games.
For me, his fantasy appeal comes from puck movement, offensive-zone involvement and the potential for extensive power-play work.
If Montreal struggles to generate controlled entries, Hutson may become even more important to its attack.
He is my preferred Canadiens defenceman for this matchup.
Kyle Connor — Winnipeg’s Biggest Fantasy Weapon
Connor has opened the season with nine goals and 12 points through 10 games.
That’s an exceptional scoring pace.
He’s also generating 4.4 shots per game, providing a useful fantasy foundation beyond goals and assists in leagues that reward shots.
Montreal’s 3.50 goals-against average makes this an appealing matchup for him.
I expect Connor to be involved in Winnipeg’s most dangerous scoring opportunities.
Mark Scheifele — The Playmaking Advantage
Scheifele has eight points, including six assists.
He remains a key part of Winnipeg’s top offensive group and power-play structure.
My interest here is his chemistry with Connor and Cole Perfetti.
If Winnipeg creates sustained pressure, Scheifele could collect multiple assists without needing to score himself.
Neal Pionk — A Defenceman Worth Monitoring
Pionk has seven points through 10 games and has taken on considerable responsibility with Josh Morrissey injured.
He played 29:42 against Dallas.
That workload is significant for fantasy hockey, particularly with power-play opportunities.
I like his assist potential, although his value depends heavily on whether Winnipeg maintains his elevated deployment.
NHLTradeRumor.com Fantasy Matchup Projection
NHLTradeRumor.com Fantasy Watch
These projections assume the player dresses and receives meaningful minutes.
One additional player I’m monitoring is Dawson Mercer.
Winnipeg acquired Mercer in the Hellebuyck trade, and NHL.com reported that he would make his Jets debut in the Heritage Classic.
I wouldn’t assume immediate top-power-play exposure, but his eventual role could create a valuable fantasy opportunity.
For Montreal, Kapanen is an interesting deeper-league option if he continues centring Caufield and Slafkovský.
Top Five Montreal Canadiens and Winnipeg Jets Fantasy Scorers for 2026–27
Early-season scoring totals provide a useful picture of which players are carrying their teams offensively.
However, 10 games is a limited sample. The scoring index below measures actual production, not expected results.
Montreal Canadiens
Winnipeg Jets
Methodology: Player points ÷ team leader points × 100. Zachary Bolduc is tied with Josh Anderson at six points for Montreal; Alex Iafallo is tied with Gabriel Vilardi at five for Winnipeg.
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.
Montreal’s leading scorer remains Suzuki, despite his injury. That illustrates how significant his absence is.
Winnipeg’s leading scorer is Connor, whose 12 points include nine goals.
Injuries and Absences That Could Affect Fantasy Value
Montreal Canadiens
Montreal’s most significant absence is Nick Suzuki, who is expected to miss two to four weeks with an upper-body injury.
Ivan Demidov is also unavailable with a lower-body injury.
Those absences remove two major offensive options and create additional opportunities for other forwards.
Kapanen’s promotion alongside Caufield and Slafkovský is particularly important. His fantasy value could rise if he receives sustained top-line minutes.
Jake Evans is another player worth monitoring after recording two goals and an assist against Chicago.
Samuel Montembeault’s lower-body injury has also affected Montreal’s goaltending situation.
Jacob Fowler stopped 20 shots in the Canadiens’ 4-1 victory over Chicago and appears a strong candidate to start, although the Heritage Classic starter had not been officially confirmed at the time of this analysis.
Winnipeg Jets
Winnipeg’s biggest recent roster development is the completed Connor Hellebuyck trade to New Jersey.
That situation is resolved, and Hellebuyck is no longer an option in the Jets’ crease.
Josh Morrissey remains sidelined with a wrist injury, increasing the importance of Pionk and Winnipeg’s remaining defencemen.
Vladislav Namestnikov has been placed on injured reserve, while Nino Niederreiter is also listed as unavailable.
New arrival Nick Bjugstad is recovering from an injury and is not expected to make his debut tonight.
Stuart Skinner and Clay Stevenson remain Winnipeg’s principal goaltending options, with Skinner the projected starter.
What I’m watching: If Mercer receives meaningful middle-six minutes and secondary power-play opportunities, he could become an appealing fantasy pickup beyond this game.
Montreal Canadiens vs. Winnipeg Jets Fantasy Hockey Prediction
My Score Prediction: Winnipeg Jets 4, Montreal Canadiens 3
I’m taking Winnipeg to win a close, entertaining Heritage Classic.
The Jets haven’t been particularly convincing offensively, but I see three reasons to favour them.
First, Kyle Connor is producing at an outstanding rate, and Montreal’s defensive numbers suggest the Jets should find scoring opportunities.
Second, Winnipeg’s power play has been significantly more effective than Montreal’s during the early season.
Third, the Hellebuyck trade has finally removed an unusual distraction from Winnipeg’s season.
That doesn’t guarantee an emotional victory, but I believe the Jets have an opportunity to respond positively in front of their home fans.
Montreal remains dangerous. Caufield can change a game with one shot, Slafkovský brings size and offensive skill, and Hutson gives the Canadiens a dynamic puck-moving presence.
I also think Montreal’s recent 4-1 victory in Chicago provides some confidence heading into this matchup.
My concern is whether the Canadiens can consistently create quality chances without Suzuki and Demidov.
I’m projecting a relatively competitive scoring environment, with Connor, Scheifele, Caufield and Hutson among the most likely players to influence the fantasy results.
My fantasy advantage: Winnipeg’s top offensive players.
My preferred Montreal fantasy target: Cole Caufield.
My sleeper to monitor: Oliver Kapanen.
How to Watch Montreal Canadiens vs. Winnipeg Jets
The Canadiens and Jets meet Sunday, October 25, 2026, at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg.
Puck drop is 7:00 p.m. ET, 6:00 p.m. CT and 5:00 p.m. MT.
In Canada, the game is scheduled for Sportsnet in English and TVA Sports in French. Streaming options include Sportsnet+ and TVA Sports’ digital service, subject to subscription availability.
In the United States, the game is scheduled for TNT, truTV and HBO Max.
Canadian radio options include TSN 690 in English and 98.5 FM in French for Canadiens coverage, plus 680 CJOB and Power 97 for Winnipeg coverage.
National broadcasts generally provide broader access than regional telecasts, but subscription packages and geographic restrictions can still apply. Fans should confirm their local availability before puck drop.
For more matchup coverage, visit our Montreal Canadiens TV schedule and Winnipeg Jets TV schedule, follow the latest NHL point leaders for the 2026–27 season, and explore our fantasy hockey projections. While you’re here, our NHL Fantasy Hockey Pool is a great way to test your GM skills against other hockey fans and compete for bragging rights. Entries for the current pool are now closed, but you can follow the competition and watch for future opportunities.
