The Montreal Canadiens and Nashville Predators square off on April 6, 2025, at Bridgestone Arena in a late-season matchup that, while devoid of playoff implications, offers both franchises an opportunity to evaluate talent, reinforce their systems, and end the season with momentum and dignity intact. Montreal enters the game with a 37-30-9 record, a reflection of modest overachievement given their rebuilding status and youth-heavy lineup. The Canadiens have shown considerable resilience this year, fueled by the offensive firepower of Cole Caufield, who has tallied 35 goals, and team captain Nick Suzuki, whose 83 points underscore his value as a skilled, responsible leader. Their top-six forwards have found chemistry, and emerging pieces like Juraj Slafkovsky and Kirby Dach have added speed and creativity to a group that’s exceeded expectations at times. The Habs’ special teams remain a work in progress—while their power play can be dangerous when Caufield and Suzuki connect, it lacks consistent secondary threats, and their penalty kill has often been vulnerable in key moments. The biggest challenge for Montreal, however, continues to be on the defensive side of the puck. With 249 goals allowed, their blue line has been overwhelmed too often, struggling with breakouts and net-front coverage. Goaltenders Sam Montembeault and Jake Allen have rotated in and out with mixed results, showing flashes of brilliance but lacking the sustained consistency to stabilize the back end.

Despite those flaws, Montreal has been solid against the spread, posting a 37-28 ATS record, particularly effective on the road where they’ve managed to grind out wins or keep contests close. On the other bench, the Nashville Predators are enduring a season that has not only been disappointing but also raised fundamental questions about the team’s direction. At 27-41-8, Nashville sits near the bottom of the Central Division, undone by both a lack of scoring punch and defensive inconsistencies. Filip Forsberg has once again led the way with 28 goals and 67 points, but the offensive support has thinned considerably behind him. With only 185 goals scored this season, the Predators rank near the bottom of the NHL in offensive output, struggling to generate chances and relying heavily on individual efforts rather than a cohesive system. Defensively, they’ve fared marginally better but have still allowed 235 goals, an indication of ineffective coverage and uneven goaltending throughout the year. Juuse Saros has had a challenging campaign by his standards, often left exposed by lapses in defensive structure. Nashville has also been poor against the spread with a 31-44 ATS record, regularly falling short of expectations, especially on home ice. In their last meeting, Montreal shut out the Predators 3-0, showcasing their speed in transition and tight defensive coverage. The Canadiens will look to replicate that formula, while Nashville will be motivated to salvage pride and offer a better performance in front of their fans. While the playoff stage is missing, this matchup still carries weight for players seeking to prove themselves, coaches trying to reinforce systems, and front offices observing who’s ready to be part of the solution going forward.