Laine has missed the last nine games after getting hurt on a hit by Rasmus Andersson. To make room for Laine, who will skate on a line with Boone Jenner and Johnny Gaudreau, the Blue Jackets sent David Jiricek back to the AHL.
Primeau will start for the second time this season, his first game action since October 24th, a 5-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils, where he allowed four goals on 33 shots (.879 SV%). The Canadiens have held three goalies for the majority of the season but have mostly opted for the duties of Samuel Montembault and Jake Allen. Primeau and the Canadiens are +153 road underdogs on Thursday against a Detroit Red Wings team that has lost five of their last seven (2-4-1).
Harvey-Pinard appears to be inching closer to a return but will remain out of the Canadiens' lineup on Tuesday. Harvey-Pinard hasn't played since leaving Thursday's contest against the Arizona Coyotes with a lower-body injury after just six shifts and 5:06 TOI. The 24-year-old has yet to score this season but has four assists, nine SOG, and two PIMs in 10 games played before his injury.
Harvey-Pinard left Montreal's game vs. Arizona Thursday with a lower-body injury after just six shifts and 5:06 TOI and is now considered day-to-day and will not play Saturday vs. St Louis. The 24-year-old has yet to score this season but has four assists, nine SOG, and two PIMs in 10 games played prior to his injury.
Pezzetta was a healthy scratch for the Canadiens' previous game but will draw back into the lineup Saturday St. Louis. The 25-year-old grinder has an assist, six SOG, and 10 PIMs in seven games so far this season and will replace Jesse Ylonen in Montreal's lineup.
Dvorak missed the Canadiens' first 10 games due to a knee injury but will make his debut Saturday vs. St. Louis. The 27-year-old will be welcomed back to Montreal's lineup as he enters his eighth NHL season after posting 10 goals, 18 assists, 88 SOG, six PIMs and a -12 plus/minus in 64 games in 2022-23.
Montembeault will return to the Canadiens' crease after backing up Jake Allen last game and will hope to get them back in the win column after two-straight one-goal loses. The 27-year-old has been decent so far in 2023-24, with his 2-1-1 record, .905 SV% and 2.91 GAA. He takes on the struggling St. Louis Blues, who have lost two straight and rank last in the NHL in shots per game (25.1) and second last in goals per game (1.75).
Harvey-Pinard left Montreal's game vs. Arizona Thursday with a lower-body injury after just six shifts and 5:06 TOI and is now considered day-to-day. The 24-year-old has yet to score this season but has four assists, nine SOG, and two PIMs in 10 games played prior to his injury.
Harvey-Pinard played only 5:06 before needing to leave the game with an undisclosed injury. Entering Thursday night's game, Harvey-Pinard was averaging 14:23 time-on-ice and had four points (0G / 4A) in nine games. Alex Newhook jumped onto the top line to replace Harvey-Pinard after his exit.
Pezzetta has one point (0G / 1A) in seven games with the Canadiens this season while averaging 7:14 time-on-ice. He will sit in the press box as a healthy scratch on Thursday as the team welcomes Jesse Ylonen back into the lineup.
Matheson left the Canadiens' previous game vs. Winnipeg after 16:15 TOI due to a lower-body injury and was a game-time decision on Monday vs. Vegas after practicing earlier in the day. The 29-year-old veteran defenseman is having a strong start to 2023-24 as he has two goals, four assists, 22 SOG, six PIMs and a -1 plus/minus in eight games.
Matheson left the Canadiens' previous game vs. Winnipeg after 16:15 TOI due to a lower-body injury and will be a game-time decision on Monday vs. Vegas after practicing earlier in the day. The 29-year-old veteran defenseman is having a strong start to 2023-24 as he has two goals, four assists, 22 SOG, six PIMs and a -1 plus/minus in eight games.
Montembeault stopped 33 of 36 shots (.917 SV%) for his second victory of the season as he beat Columbus in his previous start. The 27-year-old World Championship winner is 2-1-0 so far in 2023-24, with a .901 SV% and 3.29 GAA. He will take on the surging Vegas Golden Knights, who had an eight-game winning streak snapped with an overtime loss last game and are sixth in the NHL in goals per game (3.67).
After playing the last two games, where he was held without a point, Lindstrom will be a healthy scratch for the Canadiens on Saturday. In four games with the Laval Rocket (AHL), Lindstrom was also held without a point while accumulating two penalty minutes and a -6 plus/minus rating.
After clearing waivers, Armia started the season with the Laval Rocket of the AHL. In four games with the Rocket, Armia had five points (4G / 1A). He is expected to line up on the fourth line for the Canadiens with Jake Evans and Michael Pezzetta.
Guhle appears to be nearing a return but is still expected to be unavailable for the Canadiens Thursday night matchup against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Guhle has one assist, a +4 plus/minus rating, and seven shots while averaging 15:35 time-on-ice through three games this season.
Montembault will start in goal for the first time since October 17th, an outing where he allowed five goals on 35 shots in a 5-2 loss to the Minnesota Wild. The Canadiens have had some inconsistent results this season but have still salvaged a 3-2-1 record despite being outscored 20-18. The Canadiens are -112 home favourites against a Columbus Blue Jackets team that has had similar results this season, showcasing an identical 3-2-1 record while being outscored 19-17.
Montembault is expected to start for the first time since October 17th, an outing where he allowed five goals on 35 shots in a 5-2 loss to the Minnesota Wild. The Canadiens have had some inconsistent results this season but have still salvaged a 3-2-1 record despite being outscored 20-18. The Canadiens are -112 home favourites against a Columbus Blue Jackets team that has had similar results this season, showcasing an identical 3-2-1 record while being outscored 19-17.
