Montreal Canadiens News
The Canadiens are riding a rare two-game winning streak, outscoring their opposition 7-2, and will turn to Primeau in net for the second time in the last three games. Primeau has allowed one or fewer goals in two of his last three starts (2-1-0), including saving 36 of 37 shots (.973 SV%) in his last outing, a 5-1 win over the Seattle Kraken. The Canadiens enter action as +138 home favourites against the Philadelphia Flyers.
Carrier was a late scratch on Tuesday, with the team not announcing his injury until the start of warmups. His absence makes way for the likely return of Jeremy Lauzon (lower-body).
The Canadiens snapped a four-game losing skid on Sunday courtesy of a strong performance from Cayden Primeau but will return to Montembeault on Tuesday against the Colorado Avalanche. Montembeault has lost six straight (0-3-3), allowing three or more goals five times, but has salvaged a respectable .901 SV%. The Canadiens enter action as significant +346 road underdogs.
The Canadiens have lost three straight and will turn to Montembeault to tend the twine for the second straight game on Thursday against the Vancouver Canucks. Montembeault has failed to record a victory in five straight, including his most recent outing when he allowed three goals on 32 shots (.906 SV%) in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Edmonton Oilers. The Canadiens enter action as sizeable +228 road underdogs.
Roy played 12:21 time-on-ice in Montreal's 3-2 overtime loss to the Edmonton Oilers but suffered a lower-body injury and will be out indefinitely. The 20-year-old Roy has nine points (4G / 5A) in 23 games.
Johnathan Kovacevic will replace Struble on Tuesday night against the Edmonton Oilers. Struble had played five of the last six games for the Canadiens, averaging fewer than 15 minutes of ice time and being held off the scoresheet.
Tanner Pearson will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday, allowing Pezzetta to re-enter the lineup. Pezzetta has only suited up twice in the last month, averaging fewer than seven minutes of ice time.
Montreal's goaltending carousel continues on Tuesday as Samuel Montembeault takes back the crease and looks to end a personal four-game losing streak. The 27-year-old netminder has played well despite Montreal providing limited offense this season, with his 13-12-6 record, 3.11 GAA and .905 SV%. He draws the difficult task of Edmonton on the road Tuesday, who have won seven of their last 10 games and currently sit fourth in the NHL in goals per game (3.52).
Reinbacher was the fifth overall pick of the Canadiens in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft and is set to make his professional North American debut after being reassigned to the Laval Rocket (AHL). The Austrian-born Reinbacher had 11 points (1G / 10A in 35 games with Kloten HC (NL) this season.
Lindstrom will draw into the lineup on Friday as the Ducks are opting to dress seven defensemen in the absence of Mason McTavish (lower-body). Lindstrom has three goals and four assists in 30 games this season.
Struble will watch Thursday's game against the Boston Bruins from the pressbox as Jordan Harris will draw into the lineup as his replacement. Struble played the last four games for the Canadiens, averaging nearly 15 minutes time-on-ice, and recording 13 hits.
Colin White will draw into the lineup for the Canadiens on Thursday in favour of Pezzetta, who will be a healthy scratch. Pezzetta played the last two games, averaging under seven minutes per night while recording one shot and 11 hits.
The Canadiens won 3-0 on Tuesday, courtesy of a 41-save shutout from Cayden Primeau, but will return Montebeault between the pipes on Thursday. Montembeault has lost three straight, allowing three goals in each, including a 24-save performance (.889 SV%) in a 3-2 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs in his last outing. Montembeault last faced the Bruins on January 20th and had an abysmal outing, allowing eight goals on 30 shots (.733 SV%) in a 9-4 loss.
Lindstrom will take a seat on Tuesday as Urho Vaakanainen and William Lagesson draw into the lineup. Jackson Lacombe will also sit.