Montreal Canadiens News

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.

Dobes has been excellent in recent weeks and has made his case to be the team's go-to option to start the postseason. The 24-year-old Czech goalie saved 30 of 33 shots (.909 SV%) in Montreal's previous game, a 4-3 shootout win over the Florida Panthers. Over the last month, Dobes has allowed three or fewer goals in 11 consecutive games (9-2-0), posting an outstanding 1.97 GAA and .936 SV%. The Canadiens enter Thursday's contest as slight +107 home underdogs against a Tampa Bay Lightning team that likely needs to win to keep their hopes of finishing atop the Atlantic Division alive.

Dobes has been excellent in recent weeks and has likely made his case to be the team's go-to option to start the postseason. The 24-year-old Czech goalie saved 30 of 33 shots (.909 SV%) in Montreal's previous game, a 4-3 shootout win over the Florida Panthers. Over the last month, Dobes has allowed three or fewer goals in 11 consecutive games (9-2-0), posting an outstanding 1.97 GAA and .936 SV%. The Canadiens enter Thursday's contest as slight +107 home underdogs against a Tampa Bay Lightning team that likely needs to win to keep their hopes of finishing atop the Atlantic Division alive.

Joe Veleno will re-enter Montreal's lineup on Thursday, sending Bolduc to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 23-year-old Bolduc has 28 points (11G / 17A) in 76 games this season, but has been nearly invisible offensively in recent weeks, being held off the scoresheet in 14 of his last 15 games.

Zack Bolduc will be a healthy scratch on Thursday, allowing Veleno to re-enter Montreal's lineup. The 26-year-old Veleno is averaging 12:07 time-on-ice, recording just four points (2G / 2A) and a -12 plus/minus in 58 games.

Engstrom will slot into the lineup in place of Kaiden Guhle, who was a surprise scratch on Tuesday. He'll skate with Arber Xhekaj on the Habs' third pair.

Engstrom was a surprise scratch on Tuesday night, with the Habs not announcing his absence prior to warmups. Adam Engrstrom will draw into the lineup in their place.

Gallagher was a surprise scratch along with Joe Veleno on Tuesday night, with the Habs not announcing their absence prior to warmups. Kirby Dach and Alexandre Texier will draw into the lineup in their place.

Veleno was a surprise scratch along with Brendan Gallagher on Tuesday night, with the Habs not announcing their absence prior to warmups. Kirby Dach and Alexandre Texier will draw into the lineup in their place.

Samuel Montembeault has been an afterthought in Montreal lately, with Jakub Dobes and Jacob Fowler leading the way between the pipes. The 24-year-old Dobes was solid in his previous outing, saving 35 of 38 shots (.921 SV%) in a 4-3 shootout win over the New Jersey Devils. It remains unclear which netminder the Canadiens will rely upon in the postseason, but Dobes is making his case, posting an outstanding 1.68 GAA and .949 SV% in his last seven games (6-1-0). The Canadiens enter Tuesday's contest as sizable -205 home favourites against a Florida Panthers team that has been outscored 14-6 in their last two games (0-2-0).

Samuel Montembeault has been an afterthought in Montreal lately, with Jakub Dobes and Jacob Fowler leading the way between the pipes. The 24-year-old Dobes was solid in his previous outing, saving 35 of 38 shots (.921 SV%) in a 4-3 shootout win over the New Jersey Devils. It remains unclear which netminder the Canadiens will rely upon in the postseason, but Dobes is making his case, posting an outstanding 1.68 GAA and .949 SV% in his last seven games (6-1-0). The Canadiens enter Tuesday's contest as sizable -205 home favourites against a Florida Panthers team that has been outscored 14-6 in their last two games (0-2-0).