Primeau will take the crease for the second half of Montreal's back-to-back with Detroit on Tuesday in Montreal. The 24-year-old took a big step forward in 2023-24 with career highs in almost all statistical categories such as .910 SV%, 2.95 GAA, and two shutouts to go along with his 8-9-3 record. He hosts the desperate Detroit Red Wings for game 82, who need another victory on Tuesday to have a shot at making the playoffs.
Mailloux was the 31st overall pick of the Canadiens in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. The 21-year-old has played 70 games with the Laval Rocket in his first professional season, scoring 47 points (14G / 33A).
Tuch was a second-round pick (No.47 overall) in 2020 and spent four years at Boston University, where he had 10 goals and 20 assists (30 points) in 39 games this season.
Struble recorded an assist and a +1 plus/minus in Saturday's 5-4 loss to the Ottawa Senators but will be a healthy scratch on Monday night. Lane Hutson will draw into the lineup and make his NHL debut.
The Canadiens have lost five of their last six and will turn to Montembeault in the crease on Monday against the Detroit Red Wings. Montembeault has allowed three or fewer goals in five of his last six games (3-2-1) and played well in his most recent outing but was unvictorious, allowing three goals on 31 shots (.903 SV%) in a 3-2 overtime loss to the New York Islanders. The Canadiens enter action +180 road underdogs.
Hutson was the 62nd overall pick of the Montreal Canadiens in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. The 20-year-old scored 49 points (15G / 34A) in 2023-24 playing collegiate hockey with Boston University.
Hutson was the 62nd overall pick of the Montreal Canadiens in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. The 20-year-old scored 49 points (15G / 34A) in 2023-24 playing collegiate hockey with Boston University. He is expected to meet Montreal on Sunday.
The Canadiens snapped a three-game losing skid on Tuesday and will return to Montembeault between the pipes on Thursday against the New York Islanders. Montembeault has won two of his last three games, including saving 33 of 36 shots (.917 SV%) in a 9-3 win over the Philadelphia Flyers in his most recent outing. The Canadiens enter action as +197 road underdogs.
Xhekaj was the fourth-round pick of the Montreal Canadiens in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. The 19-year-old has 65 points (34G / 31A) in 63 games with the Brantford Bulldogs (OHL) this season.
Dvorak underwent surgery to repair a torn pectoral muscle early in January and was originally expected to miss the remainder of the season. Before his injury, Dvorak had two points (2G / 0A) in his last 10 games, playing predominantly alongside Cole Caufield and Juraj Slafkovsky.
The Canadiens have lost three straight and will turn to Montembault for the fourth time in the last six games. Montembault has allowed three or fewer goals in three of his last four but had an abysmal performance in his last outing, allowing four goals on 12 shots (.667 SV%) in a 4-2 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Canadiens enter action on Tuesday as +119 home underdogs against the Philadelphia Flyers.
Xhekaj has not played the last two games and will miss the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery on his left shoulder. The 23-year-old Xhekaj spent the first half of the season between the NHL and AHL but has been a fixture with the Canadiens for the last couple of months. He ends the season with 10 points (3G / 7A), 121 hits, and 49 blocks in 44 games.
The Canadiens have won four of their last five and will roll with Primeau in the crease for the third time in the last five games. Primeau has been excellent lately, allowing one or fewer goals in three of his last four (3-1-0), including saving 29 of 30 shots (.967 SV%) in his last outing, a 4-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers.
Johnathan Kovacevic will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday, allowing Guhle to return to the lineup after serving a one-game suspension. Before his suspension, Guhle had five points (1G / 4A) during a three-game point streak.
