Jayden Struble will be a healthy scratch in Game One against the Buffalo Sabres, allowing Xhekaj to re-enter the lineup. The 21-year-old Xhekaj was the odd man out of the lineup to accommodate the return of Noah Dobson (upper body) in Game Seven against the Tampa Bay Lightning, but had been serviceable prior in the series, recording one assist and 31 hits in six games.
Dobson has not played in three weeks, suffering an upper-body injury in the final week of the regular season, but he is expected to return to the lineup in Game Seven on Sunday. The 26-year-old Dobson scored 47 points (12G / 35A) in 80 games this season.
The Canadiens will unsurprisingly stick with Dobes between the pipes as the Canadiens enter a must-win Game Seven against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 24-year-old Czech goalie was outstanding in Game Six, saving 32 of 33 shots (.970 SV%), but ultimately allowed the game’s only goal midway through the first overtime period. He has a 2.19 GAA and .916 SV% through six games this postseason (3-3). Montreal enters Game Seven as a +145 road underdog.
Dobson has not played in three weeks, suffering an upper-body injury in the final week of the regular season, but he has been working hard and could be an option in Game Seven on Sunday. A decision will be made for the talented 26-year-old defenseman after he participates in warmups before the game.
The Habs will of course roll with Dobes between the pipes when they look to close out their series against the Lightning on Friday. Dobes was spectacular in Game 5, allowing just two goals on 40 shots as the Habs secured a 3-2 victory. The Canadiens enter action in Game 6 as the slightest of underdogs at +105 on the money line.
The Habs will roll with Dobes between the pipes for a pivotal Game 5 matchup in Tampa Bay on Wednesday. Dobes allowed 17 goals on 20 shots in Game 4 as the Lightning edged the Canadiens by a score of 3-2 to even the series. The 24-year-old netminder has posted an .883 SV% through the opening four games of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Dobes and the Habs enter action on Wednesday at +130 on the money line.
Brendan Gallagher will draw into Montreal's lineup for Game Five on Wednesday, sending Kapanen to the sidelined as a healthy scratch. The 22-year-old Kapanen had a solid rookie season, scoring 37 points (22G / 15A) in 82 games, but has been held off of the scoresheet through four games this season.
Dobes was lightly tested in Montreal’s 3-2 overtime win over the Tampa Bay Lightning, saving 15 of 17 shots (.882 SV%), but made several timely saves to ensure the victory. The 24-year-old Czech goalie has been solid in his first postseason as a starting goalie, posting a 2.45 GAA and .892 SV% in three games (2-1). The Canadiens hope to take a commanding 3-1 series lead on Sunday, entering Game Four as slight -103 home underdogs.
The Canadiens will unsurprisingly stick with Dobes between the pipes as the series shifts back to Montreal for Game 3. Dobes turned in another steady performance in Game 2, denying 31 of the 34 shots he faced in the 3-2 overtime defeat. Despite having home ice advantage for the first time in the series, the Canadiens still enter action on Friday as very slight underdogs at +105 on the money line.
As expected, Dobes will be back between the pipes for the Habs tonight as they look to take a commanding 2-0 series lead over the Lightning. Dobes turned in a steady performance in Montreal 1's Game 1 overtime victory, turning away 20 of the 23 shots he faced. He'll need to bring his A-game again on Tuesday night, as despite the series lead Montreal enters action as the underdogs at +150 on the money line.
Engstrom was a healthy scratch for Montreal's previous contest but will draw back into their lineup in Philadelphia on Tuesday for Game 82. The 22-year-old Swedish defensemen made his NHL debut this season and has an assist, eight PIMs and 10 SOG in 14 games played.
With Montreal locked into their playoff position, Phillip Danault will be a healthy scratch for rest-related purposes in the Canadiens' final game of the season in Philadelphia on Tuesday. The 33-year-old veteran was acquired from Los Angeles earlier in the season and has six goals, 12 points and 20 PIMs in 45 games since joining Montreal.
With Montreal locked into their playoff spot, Josh Anderson will sit for rest-related purposes for Game 82 on Tuesday in Philadelphia. The 31-year-old veteran winger was a constant force in Montreal's bottom-six all season, with 14 goals, 23 points and 90 PIMs in 72 games played.
With nothing left to decide for the Canadiens in the 2025-26 season apart from who will have home-ice advantage in their opening-round playoff matchup against the Tampa Bay Lightning, the team will opt to rest some players in the final game of the regular season. Matheson will have the night off on Tuesday, with Adam Engstrom drawing in as his replacement. The 32-year-old Matheson has had an excellent season on Montreal's blueline, averaging 24:10 time-on-ice and scoring 37 points (7G / 30A) in 78 games.
Montreal awaits a matchup with the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round of the playoffs, but can still secure home-ice advantage, and will turn to Dobes on Tuesday for their final game of the regular season. Dobes had a poor performance in his previous outing, allowing five goals (.848 SV%) in a 5-2 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets. It was a rare blip for the Czech goalie, who has been outstanding in recent weeks, posting a stellar 2.13 GAA and .929 SV% in his last 13 games (10-3-0). The Canadiens enter Tuesday's contest as sizable -202 road favourites against a Philadelphia Flyers team that won 3-2 in a shootout last night to clinch a playoff berth.
