Montreal Canadiens News

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).

Dach has been sidelined for over three weeks due to an upper-body injury, but should return to the lineup on Tuesday against the Florida Panthers. The 25-year-old forward has battled a myriad of injuries in his young career, which has likely impacted his inability to live up to his third-overall draft status from the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. Dach has 14 points (8G / 6A) in 32 games this season.

Texier has been sidelined for two weeks due to a lower-body injury, but should return to the lineup on Tuesday against the Florida Panthers. The 26-year-old French forward has been effective since joining the Canadiens earlier this season, scoring 19 points (8G / 11A) in 38 games, but has just three points (1G / 2A) in his last 14 outings.

Samuel Montembeault has been an afterthought in Montreal lately, with Jakub Dobes and Jacob Fowler leading the way between the pipes. The 21-year-old Fowler was excellent in his most recent outing, saving 23 of 24 shots (.958 SV%) in a 4-1 win over the Nashville Predators, and will return to the crease on Thursday. In four March outings (3-1-0), Fowler posted a solid 2.52 GAA and .907 SV%. The Canadiens enter Thursday's contest as -140 road favourites against a New York Rangers team on an impressive three-game winning streak, outscoring opponents 13-3.

Samuel Montembeault has been an afterthought in Montreal lately, with Jakub Dobes and Jacob Fowler leading the way between the pipes. The 21-year-old Fowler was excellent in his most recent outing, saving 23 of 24 shots (.958 SV%) in a 4-1 win over the Nashville Predators, and will return to the crease on Thursday. In four March outings (3-1-0), Fowler posted a solid 2.52 GAA and .907 SV%. The Canadiens enter Thursday's contest as -140 road favourites against a New York Rangers team on an impressive three-game winning streak, outscoring opponents 13-3.

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 tremendous in his most recent outing, saving 34 of 35 shots (.971 SV%) in a 3-1 win over the Carolina Hurricanes. He has won six of his last eight games (6-2-0) while posting an outstanding 1.90 GAA and .937 SVV%. Still, the Canadiens enter Tuesday's contest as +146 road underdogs against a Tampa Bay Lightning team with points in eight straight games (6-0-2).

Anderson will return from a one-game absence, suiting up on Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 31-year-old forward is averaging 14:03 time-on-ice and has 22 points (13G / 9A) in 64 games this season. That said, in his last 13 games, Anderson has just two points (1G / 1A).