Beck was recalled from Laval (AHL) earlier this week and will suit up for his season debut with the Canadiens on Tuesday against the Buffalo Sabres. The 22-year-old forward played 15 games with Montreal last season, averaging 9:11 time-on-ice and scoring one goal.
The Canadiens have relied exclusively on Jacob Fowler between the pipes for their last three games, but they will turn to Dobes on Wednesday for his first start in over a week. Dobes struggled in his most recent game, allowing five goals on 32 shots (.844 SV%) in a 6-4 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. The 25-year-old Czech goalie is coming off an impressive postseason run and earned a three-year deal worth $5,357,575 AAV ($16.073M total), but he has had an ugly start to the 2026-27 season, posting a 4.43 GAA and .856 SV% in three games (1-1-1). The Canadiens enter Wednesday's contest as +108 road underdogs against a Washington Capitals team on a two-game losing streak (0-2-0).
Matheson played 23:01 time-on-ice in Montreal's previous game, but he is battling a lower-body injury and will not play on Tuesday against the Buffalo Sabres. The 32-year-old defenseman is averaging 24:09 time-on-ice and has one assist in five games this season.
Samuel Montembeault's disastrous 2025-26 season, which led to a demotion to the AHL, thrust Fowler into NHL action, but Montembeault started the 2026-27 season with the Canadiens, so Fowler played with Laval (AHL). That said, an early-season injury to Montembeault has given Fowler an NHL opportunity, and he has thrived in a small early-season sample. The 21-year-old Fowler stopped all 30 shots in his most recent outing, recording a shutout in a 1-0 shootout win over the Detroit Red Wings. The Canadiens enter Tuesday's contest as -153 home favourites against a Buffalo Sabres team that improved to 3-3-0 yesterday after defeating the Florida Panthers 5-3.
Montembeault did not finish practice on Wednesday due to a lower-body injury, and is expected to miss approximately two weeks. The 29-year-old goalie fell out of favour in Montreal last season and spent time in the AHL, but he has started the 2026-27 season in the NHL as Jakub Dobes' backup.
Samuel Montembeault's disastrous 2025-26 season, which led to a demotion to the AHL, thrust Fowler into some NHL action, but Montembeault started the 2026-27 season with the Canadiens, resulting in Fowler playing with Laval (AHL). That said, an early-season injury to Montembeault has given Fowler an NHL opportunity, and he will tend the twine for the first time this season on Thursday against the Nashville Predators. The 21-year-old Fowler played well last season in his NHL debut, posting a 2.43 GAA and .908 SV% in 17 games (9-6-2). The Canadiens enter Thursday's contest as -171 home favourites.
Engstrom made his NHL debut Canadiens last season, but has started the 2026-27 campaign as a healthy scratch. That said, he will make his debut on Thursday against the Nashville Predators. The 22-year-old Swedish defenseman averaged 13:03 time-on-ice and scored one assist in 15 games last season.
Samuel Montembeault's disastrous 2025-26 season, which led to a demotion to the AHL, thrust Fowler into some NHL action, but Montembeault started the 2026-27 season with the Canadiens, resulting in Fowler playing with Laval (AHL). That said, an early-season injury to Montembeault has given Fowler an NHL opportunity, and he will tend the twine for the first time this season on Thursday against the Nashville Predators. The 21-year-old Fowler played well last season in his NHL debut, posting a 2.43 GAA and .908 SV% in 17 games (9-6-2). The Canadiens enter Thursday's contest as -171 home favourites.
Montembeault did not finish practice on Wednesday due to a lower-body injury, but the team has not yet provided an update on his status. The 29-year-old goalie fell out of favour in Montreal last season and spent time in the AHL, but he has started the 2026-27 season in the NHL as Jakub Dobes' backup. If Montembeault misses any time, expect the Canadiens to recall Jacob Fowler from Laval (AHL).
After a breakout 2025-26 season that continued into an impressive postseason run, Dobes has struggled early in the 2026-27 season. Through two games, the 25-year-old Czech goalie has allowed eight goals on 58 shots (.862 SV%) while posting a 1-0-1 record. Montreal's dominant offence has bailed Dobes out so far, but he will need to be better on Tuesday when he tends the twine against the Carolina Hurricanes. The Canadiens enter the action as slight +106 home underdogs.
With Ivan Demidov (lower body) expected to miss the next two to four weeks, Xhekaj will draw into the lineup for his season debut on Tuesday against the Carolina Hurricanes. The 22-year-old Xhekaj made his NHL debut last season, tallying one assist, seven penalty minutes, and nine hits in five games with Montreal.
Demidov missed some time during training camp battling through a foot injury, but was able to suit up on time for Montreal's season opener. Now, the talented 20-year-old forward will return to the sidelines for two to four weeks, but it's unclear if the ailment is related to his previous one. Demidov has two points (1G / 1A) in two games this season.
