Engstrom was drafted in the third-round, 92nd overall, in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft by the Canadiens. The 22-year-old is in his second professional season in North America, tallying 14 points (5G / 9A) through 18 games with the Laval Rockets (AHL). Arber Xhekaj will be a healthy scratch to accommodate Engstrom's debut.
Adam Engstrom will draw into the lineup for his season debut on Wednesday against the Utah Mammoth, with Xhekaj being the odd-man out as a healthy scratch. The 24-year-old Xhekaj is averaging 11:40 time-on-ice and has one assist and 40 penalty minutes in 20 games. The usually hard-hitting defenseman has seen a massive dip in his hit production this season, averaging only 1.5 hits per game, after averaging 2.8 in his previous three seasons.
With several notable players returning from injury, Blais will head to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 29-year-old Blais has seen limited action this season but has been effective in primarily a fourth-line role, tallying three points (1G / 2A) and 28 hits in eight games.
After an excellent start to the season, the Canadiens have lost five of their last six (1-4-1), falling outside of the playoffs in an ultra-tight Eastern Conference. Dobes was excellent in Montreal's most recent game, helping the team snap a five-game losing skid by saving 24 of 26 shots (.923 SV%) in a 5-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 24-year-old Czech goalie has a 2.88 GAA and .895 SV% in 11 games this season (7-2-2). The Canadiens enter Wednesday's contest as +120 road underdogs against a Mammoth team that has outscored its opponents 8-3 on a two-game winning streak.
Roy was recalled last week after Kirby Dach (lower body) was injured, and drew into the lineup for two games, but will return to the Laval Rocket (AHL). The 22-year-old Roy spent most of the 2024-25 season in the AHL, scoring 35 points (20G / 15A) in 47 games with Laval.
Florian Xhekaj was drafted in the fourth-round, 101st overall, by the Canadiens in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. The 21-year-old forward has yet to play an NHL game. He had 35 points (24G / 11A0 in 69 games with the Laval Rocket (AHL) last season.
Texier has not played since November 6th, was placed on the designated non-roster list, and ultimately placed on waivers on Thursday. The 26-year-old Texier has one assist while averaging 10:15 time-on-ice through eight games this season. He will report to the Springfield Thunderbirds (AHL).
Evans was on the receiving end of a high hit from Washington's Tom Wilson in Thursday's 8-4 loss. Evans did not return to the game, exiting in the second period, but seems to have avoided a serious injury, as he could be an option to play on Saturday. The 29-year-old Evans has six points (3G / 3A) in 20 games this season.
Texier has not played since November 6th and has been placed on the designated non-roster list, with Jake Neighbours (lower body) set to return to the lineup. The 26-year-old Texier has one assist while averaging 10:15 time-on-ice through eight games this season.
The Canadiens have struggled lately, losing four straight (0-3-1) and being outscored 18-6. They will turn to Montembeault on Thursday, hoping to return to the win column against a Washington Capitals team playing the tail end of a back-to-back. The 29-year-old Montembeault allowed three goals on 23 shots (.870 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 3-2 loss to the Boston Bruins, and has an ugly 3.56 GAA and .858 SV% in 11 appearances this season (4-5-1).
An injury to Matthew Knies (lower body) allowed Blais to draw into Toronto's lineup on Tuesday, but his appearance was short-lived, exiting the contest after only 6:31 time-on-ice due to an upper-body injury. That said, Blais seems no worse for wear, returning to practice on Wednesday. The 29-year-old Blais recorded an assist before his injury, giving him three points (1G / 2A) and 27 hits in seven games this season.
