Montreal Canadiens News

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.

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.