Xhakaj was a healthy scratch Tuesday but will be back in Montreal's lineup Wednesday vs. Columbus. Through 18 games he has made a strong impact with two goals and three assists along with a league-leading 45 PIMs while averaging only 15:53 TOI
Montembeault allowed five goals on 28 shots (.821 SV%) losing his previous start vs. Columbus. The Canadiens' backup netminder has been solid with a 3-2-1 record, 2.83 GAA and .915 SV%. He takes on the Blue Jackets who beat Florida their last time out and have the 31st-best powerplay with their 14.0% conversion rate.
Xhekaj will head to the press box as a healthy scratch for the first time this season on Tuesday. Through 18 games he has made a strong impact with two goals and three assists along with a league-leading 45 PIMs while averaging only 15:53 TOI.
Matheson missed the first 17 games of the season but will play Saturday vs. the Flyers. Matheson had 11 goals and 20 assists (31 points) in 74 games with the Penguins last season. He was acquired for Jeff Petry and Ryan Peopling in July.
Laine was placed on the injured reserve retroactively to Nov.12th after he suffered a sprained ankle in last Saturday’s game at the NY Islanders and is expected to miss 3-to-4 weeks. It is a tough break for Laine who already missed six games due to an injury earlier this season. Through eight games so far in 2022-23, Laine had struggled to find his footing with two goals and four points along with 29 SOG in eight games this season.
Montembeault stopped 31 of 33 shots (.939 SV%) for his third straight victory as he beat Vancouver his last time out. The Canadiens' backup has been sensational this season, posting a .930 SV% to go along with his 3-1-1 record and 2.38 GAA. He faces the Columbus Blue Jackets who have struggled on both sides of the ice ranking 23rd in goals per game (2.87) but also last in the NHL in goals allowed per game (4.33).
Pezzetta has been in and out of the Canadiens lineup all year playing limited minutes (10:23) while filling a fourth-line role, picking up zero points and three SOG through two games. He will enter Montreal's lineup Tuesday after being a healthy scratch in their last game.
Slafkovsky has served his two-game suspension for a boarding infraction against Detroit's Matt Luff and will return to the Canadiens' lineup Tuesday. Through 10 games prior to the suspension, the 2022 1st overall pick has three goals and 19 PIMs off 10 SOG.
Armia is dealing with an upper-body injury and will not be available for Tuesday's game vs. New Jersey. Juraj Slafkovský has served his two-game suspension and will draw back into the Canadiens lineup to replace Armia.
Laine suffered a sprained ankle in Saturday’s game at the NY Islanders and is expected to miss 3-to-4 weeks. It is a tough break for Laine who already missed six games due to an injury earlier this season. Through eight games so far in 2022-23, Laine had struggled to find his footing with two goals and four points along with 29 SOG in eight games this season.
Montembeault stopped 33 of 36 shots (.917 SV%) in a 4-3 overtime loss to Winnipeg the last time he took the crease. He has had a very solid start to the season, posting a 2.47 GAA and .928 SV% along with his 2-1-1 record. He faces off against Vancouver, who despite their struggles rank fourth in the NHL in goals with 3.62 per game.
The 2022 1st overall pick will head to the press box for two games after his dangerous boarding play on Detroit's Matt Luff Tuesday. Slafkovsky has yet to pick up his first NHL assist but has three goals and 19 PIMs through his first 10 career games.
Matt Luff has been announced out 6-8 weeks after taking a dirty hit from rookie Juraj Slafkovsky Tuesday. In 10 games prior to the hearing, the 2022 1st overall pick has three goals and 10 SOG while also picking up 19 PIMs.
Laine had just returned from an early-season injury and is now day-to-day due to an illness as his unlucky start to the season continues. In six games in 2022-23 he has two goals and an assist in six games with 24 SOG.
Anderson will miss Tuesday's game in Detroit and Wednesday's game vs. the Canucks. Expect Evgenii Dadonov to replace him in the lineup if he's activated from IR.
Montembeault stopped 43 of 45 shots (.956 SV%) in a win over Buffalo his last time between the crease on October 27th. Montembeault has been incredible as Montreal's backup this season, posting a 2-1-0 record along with a 2.32 GAA and .931 SV%. He will face Winnipeg who has struggled to score this season, ranking 23rd in the NHL in both goals (2.89) and shots (29.7) per game.
Pezzetta made his season debut on October 29th against the Blues, playing only 11:04 TOI in the Canadiens' win. The 24-year-old heads back to the press box as Montreal make room for Jonathan Drouin.
Montembeault stopped 26 of 28 shots (.929 SV%) for his first victory of the season his last time out vs. the Pittsburgh Penguins 10 days ago. His two starts have gone up and down as he is 1-1-0 with a 2.48 GAA and a .912 SV%. His Canadiens take on a much improved Sabres team that had won three straight prior to their previous 5-1 loss to Seattle Tuesday.
