NHL Heritage Classic: Jets v Canadiens Outdoors in Winnipeg
The NHL Heritage Classic: Jets v Canadiens outdoors in Winnipeg ended with Montreal holding on for a 2-1 win at Princess Auto Stadium, with goaltender Jacob Fowler stopping almost everything Winnipeg threw at him in front of 32,342 fans. The Jets outshot Montreal 35-21 and went 0-for-4 on the power play, but extended their losing streak to five games on the first big night since the Connor Hellebuyck trade.
NHL Heritage Classic at a Glance
Below you'll find the key facts, how the game unfolded, the betting lessons, what comes next, and where to check NHL odds for upcoming games.
- Result: Montreal Canadiens 2, Winnipeg Jets 1 (period scores 0-0, 2-0, 0-1)
- Venue: Princess Auto Stadium, Winnipeg, Sunday 25 October 2026, 6pm local, attendance 32,342
- Montreal scorers: Lane Hutson and Kaiden Guhle, both in the second period, with Cole Caufield adding two assists
- Winnipeg scorer: Isak Rosen, with 4:36 left in the third period, his first goal of the season
- Shots: Winnipeg 35, Montreal 21; Stuart Skinner made 19 saves for the Jets
- Records: Canadiens 6-3-2, with points in four straight; Jets 4-4-3, with five straight losses (0-3-2)
How the Game Unfolded
It was a scoreless first period in cold conditions, the best chance falling to Montreal's Alex Newhook on a shorthanded breakaway that Skinner stopped. The game turned in the second period, when Hutson put Montreal in front and Guhle, scoring in his second straight game, doubled the lead. After that, the Canadiens leaned on Fowler.
Winnipeg poured on the pressure in the third period, outshooting Montreal 14-6, and Rosen finally beat Fowler on a one-timer from Gabriel Vilardi's pass. The Jets then got a power play with 1:32 left when Josh Anderson went off for tripping, pulled Skinner for a 6-on-4, and still couldn't find the equaliser. Fowler, 21, has won his last five starts and improved to 5-1-0. You can follow how markets move as games unfold through live ice hockey betting on Sportsbet.io.
The Storylines Around the Game
The Heritage Classic arrived two days after the Jets traded goaltender Connor Hellebuyck to the New Jersey Devils, and Dawson Mercer, who came back in the deal, made his Jets debut with two shots. Winnipeg were also without all-star defenceman Josh Morrissey for a sixth consecutive game. Montreal were missing even more firepower, with Nick Suzuki (hand) and Ivan Demidov (lower body) out, which makes the win more notable.
The event was also a family occasion. Arber and Florian Xhekaj became the third set of brothers to appear in the same outdoor game, after the Hughes brothers in 2024 and the Sedins in 2014.
It was the eighth Heritage Classic and the first since the Oilers beat the Flames 5-2 in 2023. Winnipeg was hosting the game for the second time at the same stadium, after losing 3-0 to the Oilers in 2016, while the Canadiens won the first one in 2003, 4-3 over Edmonton, and improved to 3-2 in outdoor games.
What the Game Teaches You About NHL Betting
First, shot totals aren't results. Winnipeg had 35 shots and 14 in the third period and still lost, which is a reminder that goaltending is the most volatile variable in hockey betting. Second, a power play that goes 0-for-4 can erase a territorial advantage. Third, goalie changes matter: Winnipeg's trade and Montreal's hot young goalie were both reasons to look closely at prices before puck drop. Sportsbet.io's ice hockey hub lists the matches and markets for the sport, and its sportsbook lets you switch between decimal, American and Hong Kong odds in your settings.
What's Next for Both Teams
The Jets and Canadiens meet again on 3 November, the second game of the regular-season series, with Montreal leading it 1-0. The Jets have conceded the first goal in seven of their last nine games and are 2-3-2 when trailing first, so the next game will test whether the post-trade reset starts to work. For longer-range markets, Sportsbet.io's NHL outrights page lists season-long markets, and the upcoming matches page shows what's coming next.
Betting Responsibly on NHL Games
An 84-game season with games almost every night can tempt you to keep adding bets, especially after a close loss. Treat every lesson above as one opinion among many, not a guarantee, and set a budget for the season rather than reacting to a single result.
Account tools such as deposit limits, loss limits, and time-outs help keep your betting within a budget you're comfortable with. Sportsbet.io's responsible gambling page explains how to set these up. Betting should stay entertainment, not a way to chase back a loss from an earlier game.
If gambling has stopped feeling like entertainment, confidential support is available from:
Age and identity checks apply, and betting is restricted to those who meet the legal gambling age and requirements in their jurisdiction.
FAQs: NHL Heritage Classic
Who won the 2026 NHL Heritage Classic?
The Montreal Canadiens beat the Winnipeg Jets 2-1 at Princess Auto Stadium on Sunday 25 October.
Who scored in the Heritage Classic?
Lane Hutson and Kaiden Guhle scored for Montreal in the second period, and Isak Rosen scored for Winnipeg late in the third.
Which goalie won the game for Montreal?
Jacob Fowler, who made more than 30 saves and has won his last five starts.
When do the Jets and Canadiens play again?
On Tuesday 3 November, the second game of their regular-season series.
