Montreal Canadiens News

With Kirby Dach (lower body) returning from a three-game absence, Roy will head to the press box as a healthy scratch. The 22-year-old Roy made his season debut in Montreal's previous game, playing 7:58 time-on-ice.

Dach has not played in Montreal's previous three games, recovering from a lower-body injury, but will return to the lineup on Thursday against the Edmonton Oilers. The 24-year-old Dach is averaging 14:29 time-on-ice and has two points (1G / 1A) in five games this season.

On the tail end of a back-to-back, the Canadiens will turn to Momtemeault between the pipes on Thursday against the Edmonton Oilers. Montembeault has failed to be spectacular early in the 2025-26 season, often outdueled by counterpart Jakub Dobes, but has remained serviceable, winning two of four games (2-2-0) despite a pedestrian 3.26 GAA and .857 SV%. The 28-year-old Montembeault faces arguably his toughest competition of the season, facing off against Connor McDavid and the Oilers.

The Canadiens have alternated goalies early in the 2025-26 season, a trend that will continue on Wednesday with Dobes tending the twine against the Calgary Flames. The 24-year-old Czech goalie has been outstanding through three games (3-0-0), posting a stellar 1.63 GAA and .939 SV%. Dobes had a similar start to the 2024-25 season, winning his first five contests while posting a .940 SV%. The 5-2-0 Canadiens enter Wednesday's contest as -115 road favorites against a Flames team desperate to stop a six-game losing skid (0-6-0).

Dach has not played in Montreal's previous two games, recovering from a lower-body injury, but is nearing a return and will travel with the team on their upcoming four-game road trip. The 24-year-old Dach is averaging 14:29 time-on-ice and has two points (1G / 1A) in five games this season.

Beck was recalled from Laval (AHL) last week and drew into two games for the Canadiens, but will return to the AHL. The 21-year-old forward was the 33rd-overall pick by Montreal in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. He spent most of the 2024-25 campaign in the AHL, tallying 44 points (15G / 29A) in 64 games with Laval.

Del Gaizo played a career-high 46 games with the Nashville Predators last season, scoring nine points (2G / 7A), but started his 2025-26 campaign in the AHL with Laval. The 26-year-old defenseman was a fourth-round pick in 2019 and has played 55 career games at the NHL level.

Roy has been used sparingly at the NHL level by the Canadiens the previous two season, scoring 11 points (6G / 5A) in 35 combined games, and could draw into the lineup for the first time in 2025-26 after being recalled from Laval (AHL) on Tuesday. The 22-year-old spent most of the 2024-25 season in the AHL, scoring 35 points (20G / 15A) in 47 games with Laval.

Dobes has been excellent in limited action this season, and will return to the crease on Monday against the Buffalo Sabres. The 24-year-old Czech goalie has a stellar 1.46 GAA and .940 SV% in two games this season (2-0-0). Montreal enters Monday's matchup as -145 home favorites against a suddenly explosive Buffalo team that is outscoring their opposition 11-4 during a two-game winning streak. The Canadiens have an upcoming back-to-back on Wednesday and Thursday this week, so Dobes will likely be between the pipes for a second time this week as well.

Dobes has been excellent in limited action this season, and will likely return to the crease on Monday against the Buffalo Sabres. The 24-year-old Czech goalie has a stellar 1.46 GAA and .940 SV% in two games this season (2-0-0). Montreal enters Monday's matchup as -145 home favorites against a suddenly explosive Buffalo team that is outscoring their opposition 11-4 during a two-game winning streak. The Canadiens have an upcoming back-to-back on Wednesday and Thursday this week, so Dobes will likely be between the pipes for a second time this week as well.

Veleno will draw into the Montreal lineup because Patrik Laine is out with a lower-body injury. Veleno most recently played for the Blackhawks, where he had seven points (3G / 4A) in 18 games. He'll centre a line with Zack Bolduc and Owen Beck in his debut.

With Kirby Dach unavailable due to a lower-body injury, Beck will play in his 14th career game and first of the season. Beck has 16 goals and 30 assists (46 points) in 67 AHL games over the last two seasons. He'll start on a line with Zack Bolduc and Joe Veleno.

With both Kirby Dach and Patrik Laine unavailable for Saturday's game vs. the Rangers, Beck has been recalled and will play. He has one goal and one assist in his first three AHL games of the season, and had one assist in 12 games with Montreal last year.

Laine will miss Saturday's game vs. the Rangers. Owen Beck was recalled from Laval (AHL) to replace Laine in the lineup. Laine should be considered questionable to play Monday vs. the Sabres.

It's unclear when Dach picked up the injury, but he will not be available for Saturday's game vs. the Rangers. Joe Veleno is expected to make his Canadiens debut in Dash's place.

Guhle was hurt Thursday against the Predators and is expected to be sidelined for at least a month. It’s a tough blow for the Canadiens, and the second straight season Guhle has missed significant time due to injury. Arber Xhekaj is expected to draw back into the lineup on Saturday.

For the first time this season, Xhekaj will head to the sidelines to serve as a healthy scratch. The 24-year-old Xhekaj is averaging 10:53 time-on-ice, recording one point (0G / 1A), five blocks, and nine hits through four games this season. Jayden Struble will draw into Montreal's lineup as Xhekaj's replacement.