Montreal Canadiens News

Evans has five assists, 28 SOG and nine PIMs playing in all 29 of Montreal's games this season but will be a healthy scratch Thursday as Rem Pitlick draws back into the lineup.

Pezzetta has played in the Canadiens' previous three games but will head to the press box yet again as a healthy scratch Thursday. The 24-year-old has a goal, 12 PIMs and 16 SOG while playing limited minutes in Montreal's bottom-six through 16 games this season.

Caufield left Monday's game vs. Calgary after just eight shifts and 8:05 TOI due to an upper-body injury but should return to the lineup Wednesday. The 21-year-old has been having a strong second full season, with 16 goals, 25 points, 96 SOG and a -3 plus/minus through 29 games so far this season.

Montembeault is coming off his worst start of the season where he allowed seven goals on 32 shots (.781 SV%) as he lost to Vancouver on Dec. 5th. The Canadiens' backup has otherwise been solid this season, posting a 5-2-2 record, 2.97 GAA and .908 SV%. He will face the Ottawa Senators, who have won their last two games and are sixth in the NHL in shots per game (33.9).

Savard has not played since Dec. 3rd and it was announced Tuesday that he will be week-to-week with an upper-body injury. The 32-year-old stay-at-home defenseman has a goal, seven assists, and 24 SOG across 24 games prior to his injury.

Gallagher will miss his third straight game with a lower-body injury on Monday and is expected to miss at least two weeks. Juraj Slafkovsky will continue to play a larger role while Gallagher is out.

With Savard unavailable for Monday's game in Vancouver, either Chris Wideman or Jordan Harris will draw into the Canadiens' lineup. Consider him questionable for tomorrow's game in Seattle as well.

Laine missed the last seven games with an ankle injury but will play Friday against the Jets. Laine has been in and out of the lineup this season, scoring just two goals and two assists (four points) in eight games.

Gallagher will need to be reevaluated after it was announced he would miss Thursday's game due to a lower-body injury. The 30-year-old has three goals, five assists and 51 SOG through his first 22 games prior to the injury.

Xhekaj missed Montreal's last game as a healthy scratch but will draw back into the lineup Thursday vs. Calgary. The rookie has had a strong start to his career, with three goals, three assists, 36 SOG and a league-leading 47 PIMs through 20 games prior to his scratching.

Laine has missed the Blue Jackets' previous seven games due to an ankle injury but is expected to return to the lineup Friday after he was activated from the injured reserve. The 24-year-old has two goals, two assists, 29 SOG and a -4 plus/minus through eight injury-riddled games so far this season.

Xhekaj will head to the press box for the second time this season Tuesday as Montreal takes on San Jose. The rookie has had a strong start to his career, with three goals, three assists, 36 SOG and a league-leading 47 PIMs through 20 games prior to his scratching.

Barre-Boulet played 10:01 and has one SOG in his only game with Tampa Bay prior to being assigned to the minor leagues. He will head back to Syracuse (AHL) where he holds the current lead among all AHL skaters in scoring after putting up 24 points (4G/20A) in 16 games.

Montembeault was excellent in his previous start, stopping 30 of 31 shots (.968 SV%) as he helped Montreal top Columbus. The Canadiens' backup has been strong all season, posting a 4-2-1 record with a .922 SV% and 2.57 GAA. He will take on the struggling Chicago Blackhawks who have lost five straight games.

Barre-Boulet earned his call-up as he holds the current lead among all AHL skaters in scoring after putting up 24 points (4G/20A) in 16 games with Syracuse (AHL). The 25-year-old has previously played in 31 NHL games, scoring six goals and nine points.