Pittsburgh Penguins vs Montreal Canadiens: preview, form and head-to-head

Pittsburgh Penguins
Montreal Canadiens

UpcomingNHL · Puck drop

Montreal Canadiens host Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL) on October 31, 2026. Here is how both teams arrive: recent form, the season so far, past meetings and the latest team news.

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Matchup comparison

Recent form: Montreal Canadiens, 4-1 in the last 5 games against 2-3 for Pittsburgh Penguins.

Matchup to watch: Pittsburgh Penguins’ attack (index 106) against Montreal Canadiens’ defence (index 96).

Matchup to watch: Montreal Canadiens’ attack (index 101) against Pittsburgh Penguins’ defence (index 106).

Recent form: last 5

Pittsburgh Penguins: 2 wins and 3 losses in the last 5, with 15 goals scored and 18 conceded.

Pittsburgh Penguins
Oct 24, 2026vs Nashville PredatorsW3–2
Oct 22, 2026vs Florida PanthersW4–0
Oct 20, 2026at Utah MammothL4–5
Oct 18, 2026at Vegas Golden KnightsL2–6
Oct 17, 2026at Colorado AvalancheL2–5

Montreal Canadiens: 4 wins and 1 loss in the last 5, with 15 goals scored and 9 conceded.

Montreal Canadiens
Oct 28, 2026at St. Louis BluesW2–0
Oct 25, 2026at Winnipeg JetsW2–1
Oct 24, 2026at Chicago BlackhawksW4–1
Oct 20, 2026vs San Jose SharksL3–4
Oct 17, 2026vs Buffalo SabresW4–3

Results before kickoff, newest first.

Head-to-head

In the last 4 meetings on record, Pittsburgh Penguins won 2, Montreal Canadiens won 2.

Oct 3, 2026Pittsburgh Penguins6–5Montreal Canadiens
Dec 22, 2025 · last seasonPittsburgh Penguins4–3Montreal Canadiens
Dec 21, 2025 · last seasonMontreal Canadiens4–0Pittsburgh Penguins
Dec 12, 2025 · last seasonPittsburgh Penguins2–4Montreal Canadiens

Season so far

Pittsburgh Penguins are 25th of 32 on win rate after 12 games (5-7).

Montreal Canadiens are 13th of 32 on win rate after 12 games (7-5).

#TeamPWLGoals
25Pittsburgh Penguins125740:40
13Montreal Canadiens127538:36

Team season model

  • Pittsburgh Penguins attack index 106: 6% more scoring per game than the league average.
  • Pittsburgh Penguins defence index 106: 6% more conceded per game than the league average.
  • Pittsburgh Penguins rate 14th of 32 on results-based strength, steady over their last 5 games.
  • Montreal Canadiens attack index 101: 1% more scoring per game than the league average.
  • Montreal Canadiens defence index 96: 4% less conceded per game than the league average.
  • Montreal Canadiens rate 7th of 32 on results-based strength, rising over their last 5 games.

Index 100 is the league average per game. Above 100 in attack means more scoring; below 100 in defence means fewer conceded.

Team news

Pittsburgh Penguins

  • Samuel Girard (D): Injured Reserve, undisclosed. Girard (undisclosed) is considered a game-time decision for Thursday's home game against the Mammoth, per Seth Rorabaugh of Tribune-Review Sports. (ESPN, Oct 29, 2026)
  • Justin Brazeau (RW): Out, lower body. (ESPN, Oct 28, 2026)
  • Elmer Soderblom (LW): Injured Reserve, upper body. (ESPN, Oct 28, 2026)

Montreal Canadiens

  • Nick Suzuki (C): Out, upper body. (ESPN, Oct 22, 2026)
  • Canadiens: Larkin’s Big Dilemma — The Montreal Canadiens may not be on Dylan Larkin's approved team list, but that doesn't seem to bother the Detroit Red Wings. (Yahoo Sports, Oct 28, 2026)

Headlines gathered October 29, 2026 from the outlets named. Third-party reporting, not verified by SportAnalyst.

What the full preview covers

  • Key factors: the matchups and numbers that shape this game.
  • Player form: recent output from the players who matter most.
  • Team news: injuries and availability from the latest reports.
  • Analyst chat: ask follow-up questions about this game (All-Access).
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