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.
Arber Xhekaj will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday, allowing Struble to re-enter the lineup against the Boston Bruins. The 24-year-old Struble is averaging 13:42 time-on-ice and has nine assists in 43 games this season.
With Kirby Dach (upper body) expected be out for two-to-four weeks, Bolduc will draw into the lineup as his replacement on Tuesday against the Boston Bruins. The 23-year-old Bolduc has been effective at time offensively this season, scoring 26 points (10G / 16A) in 64 games. He has four points (0G / 4A) in his last eight games.
Dach exited Sunday's 4-3 loss to the Anaheim Ducks after only 1:13 time-on-ice due to an upper-body injury and did not return. The 25-year-old forward has battled a myriad of injuries in his young career, so any time he is unable to play is always extra concerning. That said, the worst-case scenario seems to have been avoided, as Dach will seemingly make a push to return before the end of the season. Dach has 14 points (8G / 6A) in 32 games this season.
Dach exited Sunday's 4-3 loss to the Anaheim Ducks after only 1:13 time-on-ice due to an upper-body injury and did not return. The 25-year-old forward has battled a myriad of injuries in his young career, so any time he is unable to play is always extra concerning. Dach has 14 points (8G / 6A) in 32 games this season. An update should be provided before Montreal returns to action on Tuesday against the Boston Bruins.
Chiasson was a fourth-round pick of the Edmonton Oilers in the 2021 NHL Entry, but he has yet to play an NHL game. The 22-year-old forward scored one assist in 20 games this season with the Belleville Senators (AHL).
Shepard has some NHL experience, including one appearance with the Ottawa Senators earlier this season, but has almost exclusively played in the AHL over the past few seasons. The undrafted 30-year-old goalie has a 3.65 GAA and .885 SV% in 15 games (6-7-2) this season with the Belleville Senators (AHL).
Mittelstadt was a seventh-round pick of the Canadiens in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft who has been awarded an entry-level contract after impressing at the collegiate level. The 23-year-old defenseman had 21 points (2G / 19A) in 36 games with the University of Minnesota this season.
After a tremendous performance by Jacob Fowler in Ottawa's previous game, a 3-2 win over the Ottawa Senators, the Canadiens will return to Dobes, who has also performed well in recent outings. The 24-year-old Dobes saved 17 of 18 shots (.944 SV%) in his most recent contest, a 3-1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs, and has a 2.00 GAA and .930 SV% in his last two games (2-0-0).
Caufield was limited to 10:27 time-on-ice in Tuesday's 3-1 win over the Montreal Canadiens, leaving the game due to an illness, and subsequently missing Wednesday's game against the Ottawa Senators. The 25-year-old Caufield is pacing for career-bests in all major offensive categories this season, scoring 64 points (37G / 27A) through 63 games and appears ready to rejoin the team for Saturday's game against the San Jose Sharks.
Caufield was limited to 10:27 time-on-ice in Tuesday's 3-1 win over the Montreal Canadiens, leaving the game due to an illness, and will be unavailable on Wednesday against the Ottawa Senators. The 25-year-old Caufield is pacing for career-bests in all major offensive categories this season, scoring 64 points (37G / 27A) through 63 games.
Caufield was limited to 10:27 time-on-ice in Tuesday's 3-1 win over the Montreal Canadiens, leaving the game due to an illness, but is fighting to be in the lineup when the team returns to action on Wednesday against the Ottawa Senators. The 25-year-old Caufield is pacing for career-bests in all major offensive categories this season, scoring 64 points (37G / 27A) through 63 games.
Fowler had a brief stint with Montreal earlier this season in an attempt to rejuvenate a weak crease, but the team's struggles have continued, which may have awarded Fowler another opportunity. The 21-year-old Fowler has been playing with Laval (AHL) since mid-January, but he was serviceable in limited action with Montreal, posting a 2.62 GAA and .902 SV% in 10 games (4-4-2). He was recalled by Montreal on Wednesday and will return to the crease against a surging Ottawa Senators team that is 7-1-2 in its last 10 games.
