Prediction: Philadelphia Flyers VS Montréal Canadiens 2025-11-04
Philadelphia Flyers vs. Montréal Canadiens: A Tale of Two Netminders and a Goalie in Crisis
The NHL’s latest blockbuster features the Philadelphia Flyers (6-5-1) traveling to the Bell Centre to face the surging Montréal Canadiens (9-3-0). On paper, the Canadiens are the clear favorite (-162), while the Flyers (+136) offer tempting value. But let’s not let the numbers fool us—this game is less “championship blueprint” and more “hold your breath and hope for a save.”
Parsing the Odds: A Math Class You Didn’t Ask For
The Canadiens’ implied probability of winning? A tidy 62% (thanks to their -162 odds). For the Flyers, it’s 43%, which sounds impressive until you realize the bookmakers have already pocketed the difference. The total goals line sits at 7.5, with the “over” priced at 1.74 to 2.05 across bookmakers. That’s betting parlance for “expect a shootout.” Why? Because both teams are leaking goals like a sieve at a champagne factory. The Canadiens’ goaltender, Samuel Montembeault, has a save percentage of .839—second-worst in the league. Meanwhile, the Flyers are without their starting goalie, Samuel Ersson, and will likely deploy a backup who’s probably best known for their ability to tie skates, not stop pucks.
Injuries: A Jigsaw Puzzle Missing Key Pieces
Both teams are playing with one hand tied behind their backs. The Canadiens are missing Kaiden Guhle and Patrik Laine (both out with lower-body injuries), which is like asking a chef to cook a five-course meal with only a spatula. The Flyers? They’re down Ersson, Tyson Foerster, Rasmus Ristolainen, and more. It’s a who’s-who of “absenteeism,” and their defense looks like a group of toddlers trying to build a sandcastle during a tsunami.
But here’s the kicker: The Canadiens’ recent wins have been fueled by a potent offense, not their goaltending. Last game, they clawed back from a deficit with late goals from Lane Hutson and Ivan Demidov, who’s now the team’s de facto “I’ll save us again” button. Meanwhile, the Flyers’ Matvei Michkov—fresh off his rookie season—is ready to shine in his first NHL showdown against Demidov. Think of it as The Godfather vs. The Sopranos: two young gunslingers with nothing to lose and a mutual desire to embarrass each other’s defense.
The Goaltending Saga: Why This Game Feels Like a Circus
Let’s talk about Samuel Montembeault. The Canadiens’ netminder has the save percentage of a man who thinks “defense” is a type of pasta. Last game against Ottawa, he allowed two goals in the second period that could be described as “textbook examples of how not to track a puck.” One came from poor positioning (he was napping behind the net), and another exposed his inability to make a save when it mattered. If Montembeault were a circus act, he’d be the guy who tries to juggle chainsaws but ends up slicing a balloon filled with confetti.
The Flyers’ backup goalie? Let’s just say they’re not exactly Patrick Roy 2.0. Without Ersson, Philadelphia’s net is now a “trust fall” exercise for opposing shooters. But hey, maybe that’s the key to victory—let the Canadiens’ goalie take a slapshot to the mask while the Flyers’ forwards score goals so easy, they’ll make a toddler’s first soccer goal look impressive.
Prediction: Why the Canadiens Still Deserve the “Favorite” Title
Despite the goaltending crisis, the Canadiens’ offense is a well-oiled machine. Their three-game winning streak isn’t a fluke—it’s a combination of Demidov’s heroics and a defense that, while leaky, somehow still blocks enough shots to keep the team afloat. The Flyers, on the other hand, are a patchwork squad playing without key pieces. Their best hope is betting that Montreal’s goaltending fiasco will backfire—and maybe it will. But in the end, the Canadiens’ depth and recent form give them the edge.
Final Verdict: Bet on the Canadiens (-162) to scratch out a win, but keep an eye on the over (7.5 goals). This game will be a goaltender’s nightmare and a spectator’s dream—think of it as a hockey version of Mad Max: Fury Road, where everyone’s trying to outrun disaster. And if you’re feeling spicy, throw in a side bet on Michkov vs. Demidov to go toe-to-toe in a highlight-reel showdown.
Note: This analysis is brought to you by the NHL’s finest netminders… or the ones who aren’t currently injured. Your call.
Created: Nov. 5, 2025, 1:12 a.m. GMT