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The Montreal Canadiens are winning without their captain, Sidney Crosby is looking to get Pittsburgh’s offence rolling, and a young goaltender could be the biggest difference-maker in Saturday night’s Halloween matchup.
When the Pittsburgh Penguins visit the Montreal Canadiens on October 31, 2026, fantasy managers should be watching more than the scoreboard.
Montreal enters at 8-3-2, riding four consecutive victories despite Nick Suzuki’s upper-body injury. Cole Caufield has eight goals, Lane Hutson continues to create offence from the blue line, and Jacob Fowler has emerged as one of the NHL’s hottest goaltenders.
Pittsburgh has a different kind of opportunity. Erik Karlsson leads the Penguins with 13 points, Evgeni Malkin has 11, and the power play is converting at 20.0% compared with Montreal’s 10.3%.
My biggest fantasy question: Can Pittsburgh’s experienced offensive stars exploit Montreal’s struggling power play and Suzuki’s absence, or will Fowler and the Canadiens’ improving defensive structure take control?
I’m leaning toward Montreal, but several Pittsburgh players could still produce worthwhile fantasy numbers.
Broadcast availability can change and regional restrictions may apply. Check your provider shortly before puck drop.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Montreal Canadiens Fantasy Hockey Matchup Outlook
Montreal has 18 standings points to Pittsburgh’s 12. Both clubs score more than three goals per game, but Montreal has conceded 38 goals to Pittsburgh’s 43. I put more weight on that defensive gap than the Canadiens’ narrow offensive advantage.
Pittsburgh’s superior 20.0% power play keeps Crosby and Karlsson interesting, but its 1-5-1 road record makes me cautious.
The October 3 meeting ended 6-5 for Pittsburgh in overtime after it surrendered a four-goal lead. The Penguins have won eight of the past 10 meetings, but that does not guarantee another shootout.
- Record
- 5–6–2
- Standings points
- 12
- Goals scored
- 42
- Goals allowed
- 43
- Goals / game
- 3.23
- Goals allowed / game
- 3.31
- Power play
- 20.0%
- Penalty kill
- 84.4%
- Road record
- 1–5–1
- Record
- 8–3–2
- Standings points
- 18
- Goals scored
- 43
- Goals allowed
- 38
- Goals / game
- 3.31
- Goals allowed / game
- 2.92
- Power play
- 10.3%
- Penalty kill
- 82.7%
- Home record
- 3–2–1
NHL Fantasy Players to Watch in Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Montreal Canadiens
Cole Caufield is my preferred Montreal forward. His eight goals and 42 shots through 13 games provide several ways to score in fantasy formats. Juraj Slafkovský has nine points, including seven assists, and recently practiced alongside Caufield and Alex Newhook. I want to see whether Newhook retains that top-line center assignment while Suzuki is out. Montreal’s October 28 practice report supports the trio, but it is not confirmation of Saturday’s lineup.
On defence, Lane Hutson has 11 points and is my Montreal assist-floor pick. Pittsburgh’s Erik Karlsson leads his team with 13 points, making him a premium blue-line option even in a tougher matchup. Sidney Crosby remains a high-upside play despite a relatively quiet seven points in 13 games. Evgeni Malkin has 11 points in 12 games; his recent unit with Egor Chinakhov and rookie Ben Kindel could create scoring chances at five-on-five.
What I’m watching: Pittsburgh’s October 30 practice placed Novak between Crosby and Rakell, who has scored three goals in four games. Final power-play units remain unconfirmed.
In goal, Jacob Fowler is the more attractive option if he starts: 6-1-0, a 1.54 goals-against average and .942 save percentage. Arturs Silovs is a projected Pittsburgh starter, not a confirmed one, and his .889 save percentage carries more downside. Neither starting assignment had been officially confirmed at this update.
NHLTradeRumor.com Fantasy Matchup Projection
Pittsburgh fantasy watch
Still Pittsburgh’s most reliable chance creator; PP1 opportunities matter.
Eleven points through 12 games, with Chinakhov and Kindel in his recent five-on-five unit.
Team-leading 13 points; the clearest Pittsburgh assist upside from the blue line.
Montreal fantasy watch
Eight goals in 13 games; shot volume makes him Montreal’s best scoring pick.
Seven assists; recent top-line work with Caufield and Newhook.
Eleven points in 13 games and a quarterbacking role on special teams.
These projections assume the player dresses and receives meaningful minutes. Point ranges are the author’s estimates, not official NHL projections. Power-play labels reflect projected, not confirmed, deployment.
Top Five Pittsburgh Penguins and Montreal Canadiens Fantasy Scorers for This Season
Karlsson leads Pittsburgh’s current scoring race; Caufield and the injured Suzuki share Montreal’s lead. The index below includes Suzuki’s accumulated points, not as a recommendation to start him.
Last season provides the larger sample: Pittsburgh’s 2025-26 top five were Crosby (29G, 45A, 74P), Karlsson (15G, 51A, 66P), Bryan Rust (29G, 36A, 65P), Anthony Mantha (33G, 31A, 64P) and Malkin (19G, 42A, 61P). Montreal’s were Suzuki (29G, 72A, 101P), Caufield (51G, 37A, 88P), Hutson (12G, 66A, 78P), Slafkovský (30G, 43A, 73P) and Ivan Demidov (19G, 43A, 62P). Those totals describe historical production; they do not imply that injured players are available tonight.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Montreal Canadiens
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. Bars are calculated as player points ÷ team leader points × 100. Tied leaders each equal 100%.
Injuries and Absences That Could Affect Fantasy Value
Montreal announced October 22 that Suzuki would miss two to four weeks with an upper-body injury. Demidov and goaltender Sam Montembeault are also listed as injured, while Mike Matheson’s lower-body status needs another check. For fantasy managers, Suzuki’s absence creates the most immediate usage opportunity: Newhook has recently moved into the top-line center spot, and Caufield, Slafkovský and Hutson remain central to Montreal’s offensive plans.
Pittsburgh has Bryan Rust sidelined with a lower-body injury, with Justin Brazeau, Elmer Soderblom, Trevor van Riemsdyk and Ryan Graves also on the injury list. That opens a path for Novak, Rakell, Chinakhov and Kindel to handle more prominent minutes. These are injury absences, not suspensions or holdouts. Always confirm late lineup changes before activating a fringe player.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Montreal Canadiens Salary-Cap Snapshot
Pittsburgh has more projected cap flexibility than Montreal. That matters for future recalls and roster changes, not tonight’s score.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Montreal Canadiens
Projected cap space is a season projection, not the amount of cash available today. Figures can change after transactions or injury designations. Salary-cap flexibility affects roster options, not tonight’s projected score.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Montreal Canadiens Fantasy Hockey Prediction
MY SCORE PREDICTION: Pittsburgh Penguins 2 – Montreal Canadiens 4.
I’m picking Montreal because Fowler’s form, the Canadiens’ 2.92 goals-against average and Pittsburgh’s poor road record outweigh the Penguins’ historical edge in this matchup. If Fowler starts, I favour a manageable, rather than explosive, scoring environment. Montreal’s 10.3% power play is a weakness, though, and Pittsburgh could change the game with one well-timed man advantage. I like Caufield for a goal chance and Hutson for an assist; on the other side, Karlsson and Crosby have the clearest paths to offensive production.
The development that matters more than the score is Newhook’s actual role. If he stays between Caufield and Slafkovský, his five-on-five opportunity becomes significantly more interesting, even if he is not the first power-play quarterback. I’m also checking whether Pittsburgh keeps Malkin on a separate power-play group. Goalie confirmations could change my projected score.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Montreal Canadiens Odds & Scoring Outlook
A CBS Sports pregame listing showed Montreal at -153, Pittsburgh at +127, with a 6.5-goal total. Those are a snapshot, not permanent prices. The total suggests a reasonable chance of multiple top-six scorers getting on the sheet, but it does not override the Fowler factor or guarantee a high-scoring game. Betting markets are not game predictions.
How to Watch Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Montreal Canadiens
Saturday, October 31, 2026, at the Bell Centre in Montreal. Puck drop is 7:00 p.m. ET, 6:00 p.m. CT and 5:00 p.m. MT. Canada: Sportsnet East, Sportsnet One and TVA Sports, with eligible Sportsnet+ and TVA Sports Direct streams. United States: SportsNet Pittsburgh in-market and NHL Power Play on ESPN+ for eligible out-of-market viewers. Radio: 105.9 The X/Penguins app; TSN 690 (English) and 98.5 FM (French) for Montreal.
Regional blackouts can restrict a stream when a local broadcaster owns the rights. Check your provider before puck drop.
Want more game-day coverage? Explore our Pittsburgh Penguins TV and schedule updates, Montreal Canadiens TV and schedule updates and 2026-27 NHL point leaders. While you’re here, join our NHL Fantasy Hockey Pool to test your GM skills against other hockey fans and compete for ultimate bragging rights.
