Montreal Canadiens News

Danault has had an extremely quiet season offensively, going goalless with just five assists in 30 games this season. Danault, who is signed through 2026-27 with a cap-hit of $5.5M, reportedly expressed a desire to be traded and the Kings facilitated a deal in exchange for a 2026 2nd Round Pick. Danault returns to Montreal, where he played from 2016 to 2021.

With Sam Montembeault on a conditioning assignment with the Laval Rocket (AHL), Montreal is seemingly rotating between Jakub Dobes and Jacob Fowler. Dobes will tend the twine on Thursday against the Chicago Blackhawks. The 24-year-old Dobes has been wildly inconsistent this season, but is coming off a stellar performance, saving 27 of 28 shots (.964 SV%) in a 4-1 win over the Edmonton Oilers. He has a 3.03 GAA and .892 SV% in 18 games this season (11-5-2). The Canadiens enter Thursday's contest as -178 home favorites against a Blackhawks team that has struggled without Connor Bedard (upper body) and has been outscored 10-4 in their last three games (0-3-0).

After a breakout 2024-25 season, posting a solid 2.82 GAA and .901 SV% in 62 appearances (31-24-7), helping the Canadiens make the playoffs, Montembeault has struggled immensely this season. The 29-year-old goalie has a 3.65 GAA and .857 SV% in 15 games this season (5-6-1). The Canadiens will help he can gain some confidence playing with the Laval Rocket (AHL).

Matheson played 26:05 time-on-ice in Sunday's 4-1 win over the Edmonton Oilers, but will not play on Tuesday against the Philadelphia Flyers due to an upper-body injury. The 31-year-old defenseman is averaging 24:54 time-on-ice and has 16 points (4G / 12A) in 32 games this season.

Fowler allowed five goals on 28 shots (.821 SV%) in Saturday's 5-4 overtime loss to the New York Rangers. Despite this, he will return to the crease for the third time in four games to start his NHL career. The 21-year-old Fowler had an excellent NHL debut last week, saving 36 of 38 shots (.947 SV%) in a 4-2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins. He also developed a reliable pedigree during his AHL tenure, going 10-5-0 with a 2.09 GAA and .919 SV% in 15 games with Laval this season. The Canadiens enter Tuesday's contest as -122 home favorites against a Philadelphia Flyers team on a three-game losing skid (0-0-3).

An illness circulating around the Kings' locker room will sideline two key players on Monday against the Dallas Stars, with Quinten Byfield and Danault unable to play. The 32-year-old Danault is averaging 16:19 time-on-ice and has five assists in 30 games this season.

Arber Xhekaj will be a healthy scratch on Thursday against the Pittsburgh Penguins, allowing Engstrom to re-enter the lineup. The 22-year-old Engstrom is averaging 12:06 time-on-ice through his first two career NHL games.

Xhekaj is averaging a career-low 11:59 time-on-ice this season and will head to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. He has one assist in 27 games. Adam Engstrom will draw back into the lineup as Xhekaj's replacement.

Fowler will be making his first career NHL start on Thursday, after starting the AHL season at 10-5-0 with a 2.09 GAA and .919 SV% in 15 games with Laval. With Sam Montembeault and Jakub Dobes struggling, the Canadiens will turn to Fowler for a spark between the pipes. The 2023 third-round pick will face the Penguins on the road, and Montreal enters play as +110 road underdogs. He's a below-average stream on Thursday, but could be a worthwhile pickup if he plays well and earns more playing time in Montreal.