Engstrom, a third-round pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, made his NHL debut earlier this season, playing 11 games with Montreal, but has spent most of the 2025-26 season in the AHL. The 22-year-old Swedish defenseman has 34 points (10G / 24A) in 45 games this season with the Laval Rocket (AHL).
Protz was a fourth-round pick of the Montreal Canadiens in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft and was awarded a three-year, entry-level contract after completing his fourth season in the OHL. The 20-year-old defenseman scored 23 points (5G / 18A) in 64 games this season with the Brantford Bulldogs (OHL).
Dobes has become the most reliable netminder for the Canadiens over the past few weeks and will return to the crease on Thursday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. In his last six games (4-2-0), the 24-year-old Czech goalie has dazzled with a solid 2.20 GAA and .926 SV%. The Canadiens enter Thursday's contest as slight -112 home favourites against a Blue Jackets team that is 5-1-0 in their last six games.
Veleno will slot into the lineup on Thursday in place of Alexandre Texier. Veleno has two goals and two assists in 51 games this season.
Texier will take a seat on Thursday in favour of Joe Veleno. Texier has appeared in 46 games this season, tallying eight goals and 12 assists.
Dobes has become the most reliable netminder for the Canadiens over the past few weeks and will return to the crease on Thursday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. In his last six games (4-2-0), the 24-year-old Czech goalie has dazzled with a solid 2.20 GAA and .926 SV%. The Canadiens enter Thursday's contest as slight -112 home favourites against a Blue Jackets team that is 5-1-0 in their last six games.
Veleno will take a seat on Tuesday in order to make way for the return of Josh Anderson (upper-body). Veleno has two goals and two assists in 51 games this season.
Anderson is a surprise addition to Montreal's lineup on Tuesday as he is set to return from an upper-body injury. The 31-year-old Anderson is averaging 14:11 time-on-ice, recording 22 points (13G / 9A), 78 shots, and 112 hits in 61 games this season.
The Canadiens have relied exclusively on Jacob Fowler and Jakub Dobes since early March and will do so again, turning to Dobes when they face the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday. The 24-year-old Dobes was excellent in his most recent outing, but did not receive enough goal support, saving 25 of 27 shots (.926 SV%) in a 3-1 loss to the Detroit Red Wings. Dobes has a 2.73 GAA and .899 SV% in seven games since returning from the Olympic break (4-3-0). The Canadiens enter Tuesday's contest as +116 home underdogs against a Hurricanes team on a three-game winning streak.
The Canadiens have relied exclusively on Jacob Fowler and Jakub Dobes since early March and will do so again, turning to Dobes when they face the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday. The 24-year-old Dobes was excellent in his most recent outing, but did not receive enough goal support, saving 25 of 27 shots (.926 SV%) in a 3-1 loss to the Detroit Red Wings. Dobes has a 2.73 GAA and .899 SV% in seven games since returning from the Olympic break (4-3-0). The Canadiens enter Tuesday's contest as +116 home underdogs against a Hurricanes team on a three-game winning streak.
Fowler allowed four goals on 28 shots in the Canadiens' loss to Ducks last Sunday. Since coming back from the AHL, Fowler has gone 1-1-0 while allowing six goals on 62 shots (.903 SV%). For the season, he's 5-5-2 with a 2.69 GAA, .902 SV% and one shutout in 12 games with the Habs. Tonight he'll face the Islanders on home-ice, where Montreal are -127 favourites.
Dobes has had a wildly inconsistent season with Montreal, but appears to be riding a hot streak and will return to the crease on Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings. The 24-year-old Czech goalie was excellent in his most recent outing, saving 26 of 28 shots (.929 SV%) in a 3-2 overtime win over the Boston Bruins. He has a 2.27 GAA and .914 SV% in his last four games (3-1-0). The Canadiens enter Thursday's contest as -112 road favourites against a Red Wings team coming off a 5-2 win over the Calgary Flames.
Anderson scored a goal in his previous outing, ending a nine-game goalless drought, but seemingly suffering an upper-body injury and will be sidelined day-to-day. The 31-year-old Anderson is averaging 14:11 time-on-ice, recording 22 points (13G / 9A), 78 shots, and 112 hits in 61 games this season.
The Canadiens have alternated goalies in recent games, but after a loss with Jacob Fowler, they will turn to Dobes on Tuesday against the Boston Bruins. The 24-year-old Dobes is coming off a loss as well, but has played serviceably since returning from the Olympic break, posting a 3.04 GAA and .887 SV% in five games (3-2-0). The Canadiens enter Tuesday's contest as -156 home favourites against a Bruins team that lost 4-3 to the New Jersey Devils in overtime last night.
Jayden Struble will return to Montreal's lineup on Tuesday against the Boston Bruins, sending Xhekaj back to the press box as a healthy scratch. The 25-year-old Xhekaj is averaging 11:16 time-on-ice, recording two points (1G / 1A), 108 penalty minutes, and 149 hits in 55 games this season.
