Montreal Canadiens News

Struble will take a seat on Friday in favour of Arber Xhekaj. Struble is yet to score a goal in 41 games this season, but has managed to pick up nine assists from the back-end.

After allowing six goals in Tuesday's 7-5 loss to the San Jose Sharks, Jakub Dobes will serve as Montreal's backup on Friday, allowing Montembeault to return to the crease for the first time in over a week. The Canadiens have received shaky performances between the pipes regardless of who they turn to, as evident by Montembeault's most recent outing, when he allowed four goals on 26 shots in a 4-3 loss to the New York Islanders. The 29-year-old Montembeault has a 2.96 GAA and .896 SV% in nine games (5-2-2) since returning from a conditioning stint with the Laval Rocket (AHL).

The Canadiens are coming off an impressive 6-2 win over the Washington Capitals, courtesy of a 27-save performance by Dobes; as such, he will return to the crease on Tuesday against the San Jose Sharks. The 24-year-old Czech goalie has been solid in recent games, dating back to before the Olympic break, winning seven of his last eight games (7-0-1) while posting a 2.96 GAA and .892 SV%. The Canadiens enter Tuesday's contest as -127 road favourites against a Sharks team on a two-game winning streak.

Veleno has not played since the NHL resumed after the Olympic break, and he did not practice on Monday due to an illness. The 26-year-old Veleno is averaging 12:14 time-on-ice and has four points (2G / 2A) in 49 games this season.

Montembeault has had a disappointing 2025-26 season, but will hope to pick up where he left off in his final outing before the Olympic break, saving 36 of 37 shots (.973 SV%) in a 5-1 win over the Winnipeg Jets. Troubles aside, the 29-year-old Montembeault was performing better after returning from a conditioning stint in the AHL in late December, posting a 2.84 GAA and .902 SV% in his last eight outings (5-2-1). The Canadiens enter Thursday's contest as -142 home favourites against a New York Islanders team that entered the break on a two-game winning streak.

Montembeault has had a disappointing 2025-26 season, but will hope to pick up where he left off in his final outing before the Olympic break, saving 36 of 37 shots (.973 SV%) in a 5-1 win over the Winnipeg Jets. Troubles aside, the 29-year-old Montembeault was performing better after returning from a conditioning stint in the AHL in late December, posting a 2.84 GAA and .902 SV% in his last eight outings (5-2-1). The Canadiens enter Thursday's contest as -142 home favourites against a New York Islanders team that entered the break on a two-game winning streak.

With Alex Newhook (ankle) set to return from a multi-month absence, Bolduc will exit the lineup as a healthy scratch. The 23-year-old Bolduc has 23 points (10G / 13A) in 57 games this season and had five points (0G / 5A) in Montreal’s final seven games heading into the Olympic break.

Newhook has been sidelined since mid-November due to a fractured ankle, but is set to return to Montreal's lineup in their first game back from the Olympic break on Thursday against the New York Islanders. The 25-year-old Newhook is averaging 14:38 time-on-ice and has 12 points (6G / 6A) in 17 games this season.

Kapanen was scratched for Finland's tournament opener, but he'll replace Joel Kiviranta as the 13th forward vs. Sweden. Kapanen is having a great season with Montreal, scoring 18 goals with 13 assists (31 points) through 57 games, but he likely won't see many minutes on Friday.

With Linus Ullmark battling an illness, Shepard has been recalled from Belleville (AHL) to serve as James Reimer's backup against the Philadelphia Flyers. The 30-year-old goalie has a 3.63 GAA and .888 SV% in 14 games with Belleville this season (6-6-2).

Blais has been productive in bottom-six roles this season, but has not been able to solidify a spot on an NHL roster. The 29-year-old forward is averaging 8:26 time-on-ice, recording eight points (3G / 5A) and 78 hits in 21 games combined with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens.

Blais has been productive in bottom-six roles this season, but has not been able to solidify a spot on an NHL roster. The 29-year-old forward is averaging 8:26 time-on-ice, recording eight points (3G / 5A) and 78 hits in 21 games combined with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens.

Arber Xhekaj will be a healthy scratch on Wednesday, allowing Struble to re-enter the lineup against the Winnipeg Jets. The 24-year-old Struble is averaging 14:07 time-on-ice, recording seven points (0G / 7A), 17 blocks, and 71 hits in 38 games this season.

Jayden Struble will draw back into Montreal's lineup on Wednesday against the Winnipeg Jets, sending Xhekaj to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 25-year-old Xhekaj is averaging 11:20 time-on-ice, recording two points (1G / 1A), 33 blocks, 135 hits, and 104 penalty minutes in 50 games.