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Montreal Canadiens Cole Caufield celebrates with his teammates (David Kirouac-Imagn Images)

3 Toughest Stretches of the Canadiens’ 2025-26 Schedule

Originally posted on The Hockey Writers
By William Bourget | Last updated Aug 21, 2025 8:25 AM ET

The Montreal Canadiens are heading into the 2025-26 season with higher expectations than in recent years. With a talented young core led by Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Ivan Demidov, and Lane Hutson, plus the summer addition of Noah Dobson, the Canadiens believe they are closer than ever to taking the next step. But to turn optimism into playoff reality, the schedule always plays a huge role. Every season has turning points, and for Montreal, several stretches stand out as particularly grueling.

These tough patches could make or break their playoff chances if the Canadiens don’t manage them well. Let’s look at three of the biggest tests.

April

The Canadiens’ season could very well be decided in a seven-game span from March 29 to April 9. During this stretch, they will face some of the Eastern Conference’s elite clubs, many of whom will be battling for playoff seeding at the same time.

The trip begins with four consecutive road games against the Carolina Hurricanes, Tampa Bay Lightning, New York Rangers, and New Jersey Devils. That’s four legitimate Cup contenders in a row, all away from the Bell Centre. Carolina and Tampa Bay remain among the best-structured teams in the league, the Rangers boast one of the most dangerous top-six forward groups in hockey, and the Devils’ speed has proven to be difficult for Montreal in past matchups.

Once the Canadiens finally return home, things don’t get easier. They immediately host the Devils again, followed by the Lightning, and then the Florida Panthers. In other words, seven consecutive games against playoff-caliber opponents, many of them true heavyweights.

Why does this stretch matter so much? Because it comes at the end of the season, when playoff positioning is decided. Montreal will likely be in the thick of the wild card race or possibly pushing for third place in the Atlantic Division. Dropping too many games in this sequence could sink their chances. On the other hand, if the Canadiens can hold their own, even by going .500 through these seven games, it would send a message that they can hang with the best.

The team’s depth will be tested. Goaltender Samuel Montembeault, who continues to establish himself as Montreal’s number one, will need to be sharp. The defensive core will have to limit mistakes. And offensively, the Habs’ top players must rise to the occasion. Stars like Suzuki, Caufield, and Demidov will need to produce in these high-pressure matchups.

This stretch is Montreal’s biggest trial by fire. Surviving it could be the difference between watching playoffs from home and playing meaningful games in late April.

November Road Trip

The NHL schedule is unforgiving, and the Canadiens will learn that quickly when late November arrives. Between Nov. 26 and 29, Montreal faces three road games in four nights against the Utah Mammoth, Vegas Golden Knights, and Colorado Avalanche.

What makes this stretch even tougher is the lead-in. Just before leaving for the trip, the Canadiens play two home games against the Washington Capitals and Toronto Maple Leafs.

The trip begins in Utah, then comes a back-to-back in Vegas and Denver, two of the toughest teams to play in the league. The Golden Knights’ depth and championship pedigree always make them dangerous, while Colorado remains a powerhouse led by Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar.

For Montreal, this trip is less about style points and more about survival. Stealing even three or four points would be considered a success. Teams often talk about the importance of “banking points early” to cushion late-season slumps, and this trip could determine whether the Canadiens are able to do so.

It will also be a test for Montreal’s secondary scoring. On long road trips, opponents can dictate matchups and neutralize the Canadiens’ top line. Depth contributions could be the difference between a successful trip and a disastrous one.

Holiday Road Gauntlet

As if the November trip wasn’t enough, the Canadiens are also staring down one of the toughest holiday road swings in the NHL. From Dec. 23 to Jan. 4, Montreal will play six consecutive road games against the Boston Bruins, Lightning, Panthers, Hurricanes, St. Louis Blues, and Dallas Stars.

It’s a tough sequence: five of those six teams made the playoffs last season, and several are legitimate Cup contenders. The only exception is Boston, and even then, the Bruins remain a rival who always elevate their game against Montreal.

What makes this stretch even more challenging is the timing. Playing on the road during the holiday season can be mentally draining, especially for a young team like the Canadiens. Fatigue, travel, and the emotional toll of being away from home all come into play.

If Montreal can escape this road swing with eight or nine points, it would be a massive success. Anything less than six points could leave them scrambling once January rolls around.

For a team on the rise, these stretches will reveal whether the Canadiens are truly ready to take the next step. Strong showings would not only keep them in the playoff hunt but also build confidence that this young group can eventually contend with the league’s elite.