Montreal Canadiens News

Montembeault will start for the third time in the last four games for the Canadiens on Thursday when they face off against the Minnesota Wild. Over his last nine appearances, Montembeault has recorded a save percentage of .900 or better in each contest, posting a combined .921 SV% and 5-2-1 record. The Canadiens, looking for their first three-game winning streak of the season, will be hard-pressed for a victory against a Minnesota team that defeated them 5-2 on October 17th when Montembeault allowed five goals on 35 shots (.857 SV%).

Laine was seemingly turning the corner on what had already been a disappointing season, scoring five points (3G / 2A) in his last six games, but will instead be sidelined for the next several weeks with a clavicle fracture. Laine had already missed 12 games this season due to injuries, which is becoming a regularity for the Finnish forward. He has only played more than 60 games in a season once since the 2019-20 season.

Laine was seemingly turning the corner on what had already been a disappointing season, scoring five points (3G / 2A) in his last six games, but will instead be sidelined for the next six weeks with a clavicle fracture. Laine had already missed 12 games this season due to injuries, which is becoming a regularity for the Finnish forward. He has only played more than 60 games in a season once since the 2019-20 season.

Montembeault played well in his last game, saving 27 of 30 shots (.900 SV%), but ultimately came up short in a 4-3, 12-round shootout loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday. Montembeault will return to the crease on Saturday against the New York Islanders for his second consecutive start, the second time he has started consecutive games in December, as the Canadiens appear to be favouring the 27-year-old netminder.

Laine appeared to grab his shoulder after an awkward collision in the first period. It's another tough blow in what has been a dreadful season for the former 40-goal scorer. Laine has just six goals and three assists in 18 games this season.

Heineman had a goal, three assists, eight PIMs and a -6 plus/minus in seven games with Laval (AHL) and has earned his first call up to Montreal Wednesday after it was announced that Tanner Pearson (upper body) would be placed on the Injured Reserve. Heineman is 22-year-old and has yet to play an NHL game after making his North American debut with Laval in 2022-23 after four seasons with Leksands IF (SHL) in Sweden.

Montreal's goaltending trio will continue to shuffle as Samuel Montembeault takes the crease for the first time in three games Wednesday. The 27-year-old has been Montreal's best netminder of their three with his 6-4-1 record, .912 SV% and 2.78 GAA. He faces the Pittsburgh Penguins, who are on the second half of a back-to-back after a win over Arizona Tuesday and are ranked 23rd in the NHL in goals per game (2.93).

Primeau has roughly started every third or fourth game for the Canadiens over the last month and will continue that trend on Saturday when the Canadiens visit the Buffalo Sabres. Primeau last played on November 30th, allowing five goals on 29 shots (.828 SV%) in a 5-1 loss to the Florida Panthers. The Canadiens have lost three of their last four (1-3-0) but defeated the Sabres in their only matchup this season, a 3-1 victory on October 23rd with Jake Allen between the pipes.

Laine was a late scratch on Tuesday due to illness and will not play again on Thursday as he did not travel with the team for the matchup against the New York Islanders. Laine is still playing well below his expectations but has started to right the ship with three points (2G / 1A) in his last four games. Kiril Marchenko and Adam Fantilli found themselves on the Blue Jackets' top powerplay unit in Laine's absence last game.

Armia is expected to exit the lineup and be a healthy scratch after playing four straight for the Canadiens, scoring two points (2G / 0A) and firing 11 shots on goal. Michael Pezzetta will draw back into the lineup to replace Armia.

Joel Armia is expected to be a healthy scratch on Thursday, allowing Pezzetta to re-enter the Canadiens' lineup. Pezzetta has not played since November 25th and had only one point (0G / 1A) in his last eight games.

For the first time this season Montreal will go back to the same goalie it did the previous game as Samuel Montembeault takes the crease Thursday vs. Los Angeles. The 27-year-old has been the Canadiens' best goaltender by a long stretch due to his 6-3-1 record, 2.66 GAA and .913 SV%. He takes on the red hot Los Angeles Kings, who have won seven of their last eight games and are doing so while being second in the NHL in goals per game (3.86).