Carrier has not played since December 7th and will remain out of the lineup on Tuesday but appears to be nearing a return to action. The 28-year-old defenseman is averaging 20:08 time-on-ice, recording seven points (1G / 6A), a -14 plus/minus, and 31 blocks in 28 games this season.
The Canadiens have been outscored 13-4 in their last two games (0-2-0) but will roll with Montembeault between the pipes for a seventh consecutive game. The 28-year-old Montembeault is tied for the league lead with three shutouts but has had an up-and-down 2024-25 campaign, posting a 3.01 GAA and .900 SV% in 24 games (9-13-2). The Canadiens enter Tuesday's contest as +111 home underdogs against a Buffalo Sabres club amid a 10-game losing skid (0-7-3).
Struble will slot in for David Savard, who was a surprise scratch due to an upper-body injury. Struble has two goals and three assists in 21 games this season.
Savard was a surprise scratch on Thursday, with his absence not being announced prior to warmups. The Canadiens added that Savard is considered day-to-day with the injury. Jayden Struble will draw into the lineup in his place.
Carrier exited Saturday's 3-1 loss to the Ottawa Senators due to an upper-body injury in the third period after playing 15:39 time-on-ice. The 28-year-old Carrier is averaging 20:08 time-on-ice through 28 games, recording seven points (1G / 6A), 49 blocks, 31 hits, and a career-worst -14 plus/minus. He will be out of the lineup on a week-to-week basis.
The Canadiens will roll with Montembeault between the pipes for a fifth straight game on Thursday when they host the Pittsburgh Penguins. The 28-year-old Montembeault has had an up-and-down 2024-25 campaign but has strung together an impressive 11-game run (6-4-1), posting two shutouts and a solid .925 SV%. He has a 2.83 GAA and .906 SV% in 22 contests this season (9-11-2).
Carrier exited Saturday's 3-1 loss to the Ottawa Senators due to an upper-body injury in the third period after playing 15:39 time-on-ice. The 28-year-old Carrier is averaging 20:08 time-on-ice through 28 games, recording seven points (1G / 6A), 49 blocks, 31 hits, and a career-worst -14 plus/minus. He will be out of the lineup on a week-to-week basis.
Carrier exited Saturday's 3-1 loss to the Ottawa Senators due to an undisclosed injury in the third period after playing 15:39 time-on-ice. The 28-year-old Carrier is averaging 20:08 time-on-ice through 28 games, recording seven points (1G / 6A), 49 blocks, 31 hits, and a career-worst -14 plus/minus. He will be out of the lineup on a week-to-week basis.
Justin Barron will draw back into the lineup for the Canadiens on Monday against the Anaheim Ducks, resulting in Struble being a healthy scratch. The 23-year-old Struble is averaging 15:09 time-on-ice through 21 games this season, recording five points (2G / 3A), 23 blocks, and 40 hits.
The Canadiens will roll with Montembeault between the pipes for a fourth straight game on Monday when they host the Anaheim Ducks. The 28-year-old Montembeault has had an up-and-down 2024-25 campaign, posting a serviceable 2.89 GAA and .905 SV% through 21 games (8-11-2) while leading the league with three shutouts. The Canadiens enter Monday's contest as -143 home favorites against a Ducks club outscored 9-2 during a two-game losing streak (0-2-0).
Hoefenmayer was a fourth-round pick, 108th overall, of the Arizona Coyotes in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. The 25-year-old defenseman has yet to play an NHL game and has seven points (1G / 6A) in 11 games with the Bakersfield Condors (AHL) this season.
Montembeault will make his first appearance since being named to Team Canada's roster for the upcoming Four Nations tournament. The 28-year-old netminder registered a win his last time out, allowing just one goal on 31 shots in a 2-1 overtime victory over the Islanders. Montembeault brings a 7-10-2 record and a .901 SV% into Thursday night's matchup with the Predators.
Laine has yet to play this season after spraining his left knee towards the end of training camp, but will make his Canadiens debut on Tuesday against the New York Islanders. The 26-year-old winger was acquired from Columbus in late August for a 2026 2nd-round pick and Jordan Harris after he put up six goals, nine points, and 41 SOG in 18 games in 2023-24. He is expected to suit up on a line with Kirby Dach and Juraj Slafkovsky.
Montembeault will attempt to snap a three-game losing skid when he returns to the crease on Tuesday against the New York Islanders. The 28-year-old Montembeault has showcased mixed results this season, posting a 3.12 GAA and .897 SV% in 18 games (6-10-2). The Canadiens, welcoming Patrick Laine into their lineup on Tuesday, enter the action as +115 home underdogs against an Islanders team that defeated them 4-3 on October 19th.
