Montreal Canadiens News

Condotta played the last three games for the Canadiens and was held without a point while firing four shots on goal. Condotta had 16 goals, 14 assists, 61 PIMs and a +1 plus/minus in 71 games with the Laval Rocket (AHL) last season. The 25-year-old joined the Canadiens as an undrafted free agent in 2021-22 after finishing school at UMass-Lowell (NCAA).

Newhook has been out of the lineup since November 30th with an ankle injury but is expected to return to the Canadiens' lineup on Saturday. The 23-year-old Newhook was playing well before his injury, scoring 13 points (7G / 6A) in 23 games, and could be in for an increase in offensive deployment after the departure of Sean Monahan.

Montembeault will start for the second straight game and look to extend his win streak to three when he tends the twine Saturday afternoon against the Dallas Stars. Montembeault was terrific in his last outing, saving 37 of 39 shots (.949 SV%) in a 5-2 win over the Washington Capitals. The Canadiens defeated the Dallas Stars 4-3 last month when Montembeault saved 30 of 33 shots (.909 SV%).

Barre-Boulet will be a scratch on Thursday as Lightning head coach Jon Cooper elects to get some fresh legs into the lineup for the tail-end of their back-to-back. Austin Watson will draw into the lineup in place of Barre-Boulet.

Jordan Harris will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday, allowing Xhekaj to re-enter the lineup. Xhekaj was a healthy scratch in the Canadiens last game before the All-Star break but was in the lineup for two straight before then, recording six penalty minutes, two shots, and four hits.

Gignac will play his second career NHL game on Tuesday, filling a void in the Canadiens lineup after they traded Sean Monahan to the Winnipeg Jets. The 26-year-old Gignac has had a tremendous season with the Laval Rocket of the AHL, scoring 42 points (14G / 28A) in 43 games.

Montemeault will be the starter for the Canadiens in their first game since the All-Star break. After an abysmal performance in which he allowed eight goals on 30 shots (.733 SV%) in a 9-4 loss to the Boston Bruins, Montembeault responded by saving 43 of 46 (.935 SV%) in his last outing, a 4-3 victory over the New York Islanders. Montembeault will look to build on his last performance on Tuesday in a matchup against the third-worst offensive team in the league, the Washington Capitals (2.38 GF / GP).

Newhook has been out of the lineup since November 30th with an ankle injury but is nearing a return to the Canadiens lineup. The 23-year-old Newhook was playing well before his injury, scoring 13 points (7G / 6A) in 23 games, and could be in for an increase in offensive deployment after the departure of Sean Monahan.

It was reported yesterday by Elliotte Friedman that Beaudin was unhappy with his AHL minutes in Laval (AHL) and has agreed to mutually part ways with Montreal. The 24-year-old defensemen was Chicago's 2018 first round pick (27th overall) and has struggled with Laval this season, producing only six assists, six PIMs and a +2 plus/minus in 16 games prior to the mutual parting.

Gallagher was handed a match penalty for an illegal check to the head of New York's Adama Pelech and was suspended for five games Friday after having an over the phone hearing. The 31-year-old's frustration boiled over as he is in the midst of another disappointing season with only eight goals, eight assists 103 SOG, 47 PIMs and a -21 plus/minus in 48 games played this season.

Condotta will enter the lineup in place of the scratched Jesse Ylonen, and will centre the fourth line. Condotta scored one goal in his only NHL game to date.

Montembault had the night off in the Canadiens' previous contest, getting a chance to regroup after a forgettable performance in his last outing. Montembault allowed eight goals on 30 shots (.733 SV%) in a 9-4 loss to the Boston Bruins on Saturday, far and away his worst performance in an otherwise serviceable 2023-24 campaign. The Canadiens have dropped three straight (0-3-0), being outscored 19-7, and are +132 home underdogs against the New York Islanders, who are 3-6-1 in their last 10.