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Panthers vs. Canadiens prediction: Why Florida is favored to win Thursday's NHL matchup [1/8/2026]
Updated: | First published:
Written by Nick Slade, Chief Content Officer
Get Florida Panthers vs Montreal Canadiens predictions for NHL Thursday.
NHL action continues on Thursday at 7:00 PM ET as the Florida Panthers square off with the Montreal Canadiens at Bell Centre.
Based on the latest simulations, Dimers' proven NHL model gives the Panthers a slight edge with a 51% win probability over the Canadiens.
This article offers further insights into Thursday's Panthers vs. Canadiens matchup, including projected goal scorers, best bets and player prop picks.
Panthers vs. Habs prediction: Who will win and cover?
Using powerful machine learning and data, we have simulated the outcome of Thursday's NHL matchup between the Panthers and Canadiens 10,000 times as part of our NHL predictions coverage.
Our independent predictive model currently gives the Panthers a 51% chance of defeating the Canadiens.
According to our model, the Canadiens (+1.5) have a 70% chance of covering the puck line, while the over/under total of six goals has a 51% chance of going over.
Panthers vs. Canadiens odds
We have researched the best NHL odds in America for this game, which are listed here:
| Bet Type | Panthers | Canadiens |
|---|---|---|
| Puck Line | -1.5 (+215) | +1.5 (-260) |
| Moneyline | -110 | -102 |
| Total | o6 (-115) | u6 (-105) |
All odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.
Panthers vs. Canadiens picks and best bet
After matching our predictions against the best current odds, we can reveal our picks for each of the major markets. Plus, find our best bet for the game below:
| Bet Type | Pick | Bet Now |
|---|---|---|
| Puck Line | Panthers -1.5 | +215 |
| Moneyline | Panthers | -110 |
| Total | Under 6 | -105 |
According to our NHL best bets, the top play to make on this game is Panthers to win.
Panthers vs. Canadiens player props
Who will score a goal in Panthers vs. Canadiens?
According to our model, Sam Reinhart is most likely to score an anytime goal in Panthers vs. Canadiens.
Our projections give Reinhart a 48.9% chance of scoring a goal at Bell Centre, while the star is a 10.8% chance of netting the first goal the game.
Anytime goal scorer predictions
Florida Panthers
| Player | Anytime Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Sam Reinhart | 48.9% |
| Sam Bennett | 37.4% |
| Carter Verhaeghe | 29.1% |
| Anton Lundell | 25.8% |
| Evan Rodrigues | 24.2% |
Montreal Canadiens
| Player | Anytime Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Cole Caufield | 36.5% |
| Nick Suzuki | 29.7% |
| Ivan Demidov | 29.6% |
| Oliver Kapanen | 26.9% |
| Juraj Slafkovsky | 25.4% |
First goal scorer predictions
Florida Panthers
| Player | First Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Sam Reinhart | 10.8% |
| Sam Bennett | 7.2% |
| Carter Verhaeghe | 5.6% |
| Anton Lundell | 4.8% |
| Evan Rodrigues | 4.1% |
Montreal Canadiens
| Player | First Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Cole Caufield | 7.3% |
| Nick Suzuki | 5.4% |
| Oliver Kapanen | 5.4% |
| Ivan Demidov | 5.1% |
| Juraj Slafkovsky | 4.6% |
Panthers vs. Habs game-day updates and essential details
Thursday's game between the Canadiens and Panthers at Bell Centre is scheduled to start at 7:00 PM ET.
- Who: Florida Panthers vs. Montreal Canadiens
- Date: Thursday, January 8, 2026
- Time: 7:00 PM ET/4:00PM PT
- Venue: Bell Centre
Conclusion
We predict the Panthers, with a 51% win probability, will likely beat the Canadiens on Thursday.
AI and automation have enhanced this article to quickly deliver accurate Panthers vs. Canadiens insights, with human oversight ensuring high editorial quality. Our predictions are sourced from the latest data to help you make informed decisions. For additional resources and advice on responsible gambling, please call 1-800-GAMBLER.
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Nick Slade, with nearly two decades of experience, is the Chief Content Officer at Cipher Sports Technology Group, overseeing content for Dimers. He specializes in soccer, NBA, and NHL betting, leveraging predictive analytics and machine learning to provide accurate betting insights.
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