Tonight at the Bell Centre, it’s more than just another midseason matchup - it’s a clash steeped in history, pride, and a heavy dose of nostalgia. The Montreal Canadiens will host the Colorado Avalanche, who’ll be suiting up in their throwback Quebec Nordiques blue. Yes, you read that right - the Nordiques colors are back on Quebec ice, and for fans who lived through the fierce rivalry between the Habs and the Nordiques, this one’s going to hit differently.
It’s the second time this season the Canadiens face off against Colorado, but the first time the Avs will don the Nordiques look in Montreal. Thanks to a special league exemption, the Avalanche are breaking out the retro blues on the road - a rare sight that’s sure to stir memories of those heated ‘80s and ‘90s battles between Quebec and Montreal.
But don’t let the jerseys distract you - this is still a Colorado team with plenty of firepower, and the Canadiens know it all too well. The last time these two met, the Avs unloaded offensively, hanging seven goals on Montreal in a game that got away early and often. Jakub Dobes was in net for that one, and he’ll get the nod again tonight, looking to flip the script after that rough outing.
Dobes enters the game with a 1-1-0 career record against Colorado, sporting a 3.84 goals-against average and a .864 save percentage in those matchups. But he’s coming off a solid outing against Vegas that helped pull his season GAA back under 3.00 - now sitting at 2.96 - and he’ll be looking to build on that momentum.
Samuel Montembeault, who’s also seen time against the Avs, has fared well historically, with a 1-0-1 record, a 2.61 GAA, and a .916 save percentage. But it’s Dobes’ crease tonight, and the Canadiens are betting on the 22-year-old to rise to the occasion.
On the other side, Colorado hasn’t confirmed their starter yet, but all signs point to Scott Wedgewood getting the call after Mackenzie Blackwood played in Ottawa last night. If it is Wedgewood, the Habs might be licking their chops - he’s 0-1-0 against Montreal with a 4.45 GAA and a .778 save percentage. Blackwood, by contrast, has been lights out against the Canadiens, boasting a 6-0-2 record, a 2.41 GAA, and a .922 save percentage.
The Avalanche come into this one looking to bounce back after a frustrating 5-2 loss to the Senators. It’s the second half of a back-to-back, and while Colorado has looked dominant at times this season, they’ve shown some vulnerability since the calendar flipped to 2026. They’ve already suffered three separate two-game losing streaks this month - not exactly the invincible Avalanche we saw earlier in the year.
Still, history favors Colorado in this matchup. They’ve won seven of the last ten meetings with Montreal, including the last two. And even with Gabriel Landeskog sidelined, they’re not short on offensive weapons.
Brock Nelson torched the Canadiens in the last meeting with a four-point night (two goals, two assists), and he’s been a consistent thorn in their side, tallying 31 points in 33 career games against Montreal. Nathan MacKinnon, another usual suspect, has 20 points in 20 games vs. the Habs, while Brent Burns has chipped in 21 points in 29 games. And don’t forget Artturi Lehkonen - the former Hab has seven points in just six games against his old squad.
Montreal, meanwhile, will be leaning heavily on their captain. Nick Suzuki has been a steady producer against Colorado, with 10 points in 10 games.
Phillip Danault has also hit double digits in points vs. the Avs, although it’s taken him 21 games to get there. Brendan Gallagher rounds out Montreal’s top three scorers against Colorado with nine points in 17 games.
But if there’s one player to watch right now, it’s Cole Caufield. The sniper is riding a white-hot streak - goals and points in six straight games, racking up 11 points (including nine goals) over that stretch.
His current goal-scoring run matches the longest by a Canadiens player in the past 30 years, tying Max Pacioretty (2014-15) and Max Domi (2019-20). He’s still got a ways to go to catch franchise legend Joe Malone, who scored in 14 straight games back in 1917-18, but Caufield is making history in his own right.
The last time a Hab scored in seven straight games? Steve Shutt in 1981-82.
Puck drops at 7:00 PM ET, and with the Nordiques jerseys on the ice, the past and present will collide in one of the most unique atmospheres you’ll see all season. Whether you’re in it for the nostalgia or the playoff push, this one’s got something for everyone.