Welcome back to HNIC Coast To Coast! Every week, Canada Sports Betting goes through the seven Canadian National Hockey League teams and sees where they stand in the weekend’s hockey schedule. Not everyone is drawing in this weekend – the Oilers, for example, get a few days off – but there’s still a solid lineup of action! Let’s unwrap Saturday and Sunday’s schedules.
7:00 p.m. ET HNIC Matchup: Detroit Red Wings @ Montreal Canadiens
The Patrick Kane show isn’t happening just yet in Detroit, though there is a lot of excitement around the Red Wings’ splash this week. The veteran forward signed a 1-year, $2.75 million AAV contract with the team earlier this week, though he’s still looking a week or two ahead for his debut. Kane produced 57 points in 73 games between the Blackhawks and Rangers last year, and while that clip is enough to think he’s still got something to contribute, he is coming off of a hip resurfacing surgery that historically has not meshed well with NHL players looking to return afterwards.
For now, this game will have to focus on the players that will dress, and that involves a Detroit team that’s won four of its last five going up against a Montreal group who, to their credit, have done their best to hang in there. Unfortunately, they suffered a big blow on Thursday with a 5-1 loss to Florida that included what looked to be a bad ankle injury for Alex Newhook. The Red Wings are the favourites in this one, especially since Newhook was one of just two Montreal forwards with multiple goals over the last five games (Cole Caufield being the other).
Bet on Red Wings vs. Canadiens
DET -155
MTL +135
10:00 p.m. ET HNIC Headliner: Vancouver Canucks @ Calgary Flames
One player who is expected to be wearing a new sweater on Saturday, however, is Nikita Zadorov – and if that happens, it’ll be against the team he just left. The Canucks acquired the 28-year-old defenceman from Vancouver in exchange for a third-round pick in 2026 and a fifth-round pick in 2024.
While the acquisition cost was lower than some expected, Vancouver was able to do what few other teams were willing in acquiring Zadorov’s remaining contract without salary retention. This was facilitated by their trade of Anthony Beauvillier to Chicago earlier in the week, which recovered them a fifth-round pick to work with here. Vancouver had been rumoured to be moving Beauvillier for weeks now, and the ability to make this trade happen (along with Chicago’s rather sudden $4 million forward void) expedited the situation.
So all things considered, it looks possible that Zadorov’s first game will be back in Calgary, getting the tributes and fun stuff out of the way right away. Vancouver will be coming in looking to bounce back from an imposing loss to the Golden Knights on Thursday, while Calgary will be all smiles after beating both Vegas and the Dallas Stars in its last two games, securing a return to .500 for the first time since Oct. 20. It’ll be interesting to see how both teams respond to both their recent outcomes and the festivities involving Zadorov. The market isn’t as kind to Vancouver’s hot start as you’d think, so if you think the Canucks can take this one, the value available could be intriguing.
Bet on Canucks vs. Flames
VAN +105
CGY -125
Other Canadian NHL Games On Saturday
There are four other games in Canadian NHL action on Saturday:
Chicago Blackhawks @ Winnipeg Jets, 3:00 p.m. ET – For the first time since the start of the season, the Jets are in a bit of a rut, losing three consecutive games in regulation over the past week. Losses to Nashville, Dallas, and Edmonton over the last five days have created a bit of pushback to a start that has well-exceeded expectations. There is a big opportunity here to bounce back against the Hawks, who are coming off of their own 5-1 loss to Detroit on Thursday.
Seattle Kraken @ Ottawa Senators, 7:00 p.m. ET – The Senators will get an opportunity to decide their form the night before this game, taking on the Blue Jackets in Columbus and hoping to snap a two-game skid. That could end up being to their detriment come Saturday, as they’ll be less rested than the Kraken will be coming off a day off and a quick trip from Toronto, but getting as many points as they can is probably the bigger priority right now. One player to look out for is captain Brady Tkachuk, who has 34 (!) shots on goal in his last five games. If nothing else, the captain is trying to will his team out of the woods after a worse-than-expected start.
Boston Bruins @ Toronto Maple Leafs, 7:00 p.m. ET – Two of the Atlantic Division’s best teams by record converge for their second matchup of this season. We’ll be tackling this game with its own preview post, so check back in on Saturday morning!
| Away Team |  | | Home Team | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Blackhawks | +230 | -280 | Winnipeg Jets | 3:00 PM |
| Detroit Red Wings | -155 | +135 | Montreal Canadiens | 7:00 PM |
| Seattle Kraken | OTB | OTB | Ottawa Senators | 7:00 PM |
| Boston Bruins | -110 | -110 | Toronto Maple Leafs | 7:00 PM |
| Vancouver Canucks | +105 | -125 | Calgary Flames | 10:00 PM |
Sunday Canadian NHL Action
There is no Canadian NHL action on Sunday. You can take a break from hockey and follow along with Jake’s Takes for your NFL fix, or if you still want to stick with the NHL, Sportsnet will be carrying two U.S. games nationally:
