Canadiens vs Jets Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Bell Centre: TV channel, Nick Suzuki's possible return, Fowler in goal, lineups and a Heritage Classic rematch.
Six in a row? That is the question at the Bell Centre on Tuesday night. The Canadiens (9-3-2) host the Winnipeg Jets (4-8-3) at 7 p.m., nine days after beating them 2-1 outdoors at the Heritage Classic. The big news: captain Nick Suzuki practised on the top line Monday and could be back. Here is the time, the TV channel, the goalies, the lineups and everything to know before puck drop.
Last meeting: Canadiens 2, Jets 1 at the Heritage Classic (October 25).
- When: Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at 7 p.m. ET at the Bell Centre.
- TV: RDS in French, TSN2 in English in the Canadiens region.
- Nick Suzuki practised on the top line Monday and could return after missing five games.
- Jacob Fowler (7-1-0, .932) is the likely starter. The Jets traded Connor Hellebuyck to New Jersey on October 23.
- The Canadiens beat the Jets 2-1 at the Heritage Classic on October 25.
What time is the game, and on what channel?
Puck drop is at 7 p.m. Eastern at the Bell Centre in Montreal. In Quebec, the game airs in French on RDS, and on RDS.ca and the RDS app for subscribers. In English, regional Canadiens games air on TSN2 in the team's broadcast region. In the United States, the game streams on ESPN+.
Is Nick Suzuki playing tonight?
Probably. Suzuki was a full participant at practice on Monday in Brossard, skating between Cole Caufield and Juraj Slafkovsky on the top line. The captain has missed five games since blocking a shot with his hand on October 20 against San Jose. He was given a two to four week timeline, so a return on Tuesday would come early. His status should be confirmed after the morning skate.
Without him, Montreal went 5-0-0. Before the injury, the reigning Selke Trophy winner had 5 goals and 12 points in 9 games. To learn more about him, read who is Nick Suzuki.
Who is in goal?
Jacob Fowler is the logical choice. The 21-year-old rookie is 7-1-0 with a 1.84 goals against average, a .932 save percentage and two shutouts, and he stopped 33 of 34 shots against Winnipeg at the Heritage Classic. Jakub Dobeš (2-2-2) is the other option. Read our profile: who is Jacob Fowler.
In Winnipeg's crease, everything has changed. The Jets traded Connor Hellebuyck to the New Jersey Devils on October 23, getting forward Dawson Mercer in return. Stuart Skinner (3-4-3, .887) has made 10 starts, and Clay Stevenson (1-3-0) is his backup. Both played on Sunday in a 7-0 loss in Carolina.
The Canadiens' projected lineup
Lines from Monday's practice. Kirby Dach (sick) did not skate, and Alex Newhook moved to the fourth line.
Who is out?
Montreal: Kirby Dach (illness), Mike Matheson (lower body, about two weeks), Ivan Demidov (injured reserve) and Samuel Montembeault (day to day). Winnipeg: defenceman Josh Morrissey, Vladislav Namestnikov, Nick Bjugstad and Garrett Brown are out, and Cole Koepke is day to day.
The Heritage Classic rematch
Nine days ago, the two teams met outdoors at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg. Montreal won 2-1: Lane Hutson scored on a cross-slot pass from Noah Dobson, Kaiden Guhle added a wrist shot from the blue line, and Cole Caufield had two assists. Isak Rosen scored late in the third for Winnipeg.
Fowler made 33 saves and became the youngest goalie in NHL history to start an outdoor game. The warning sign: the Jets outshot Montreal 34-21, and Martin St. Louis noticed.
Jets vs Canadiens: two teams heading in opposite directions
| Canadiens | Jets | |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 9-3-2 | 4-8-3 |
| Last 10 games | 8-1-1 | 1-7-2 |
| Current streak | 5 wins | 9 losses |
| Goals per game | 3.29 | 2.27 |
| Goals against per game | 3.00 | 3.60 |
| Home / road record | 4-2-1 at home | 2-4-2 on the road |
The schedule also favours Montreal. The Canadiens have been off since Saturday, while Tuesday is Winnipeg's fourth game in six days, after Tampa Bay, Florida and a 7-0 loss in Carolina on Sunday afternoon.
Three keys to the game
- Strike first. Opponents have opened the scoring in 11 of Winnipeg's 15 games, and the Jets have allowed at least two goals every night this season.
- Give up fewer shots. Montreal won in Winnipeg despite allowing 34 shots. Against a tired team, the Habs need to keep the puck.
- Wake up the power play. Montreal is last in the NHL at 9.5%. Winnipeg's penalty kill ranks 24th (70.5%). If it is going to happen, it is tonight.
Players to watch
More on the Habs: our Canadiens 5, Penguins 4 recap, our Canadiens 5, Stars 2 recap, our complete 2026-27 Canadiens guide, who is Cole Caufield and who is Lane Hutson.
Canadiens vs Jets: your questions
What time is the Canadiens vs Jets game?+
Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at 7 p.m. ET at the Bell Centre in Montreal.
What channel is the Canadiens game on tonight?+
RDS in French and TSN2 in English in the Canadiens region. In the United States, it streams on ESPN+.
Is Nick Suzuki playing against the Jets?+
He practised on the top line on Monday and could return. Confirmation is expected after the morning skate.
Who is in goal for the Canadiens?+
Jacob Fowler is the likely starter. Stuart Skinner should start for Winnipeg.
Who won the last Canadiens vs Jets game?+
The Canadiens won 2-1 at the Heritage Classic in Winnipeg, on October 25, 2026.
Where is Connor Hellebuyck?+
The Jets traded him to the New Jersey Devils on October 23, 2026.
When is the Canadiens' next game?+
Thursday, November 5, at 7 p.m., against the Utah Mammoth at the Bell Centre.
A sixth straight win within reach, a captain on his way back and an opponent with nothing left to lose: Tuesday night has everything a Habs fan could ask for.
