Montreal Canadiens News

Arber Xhekaj will be a healthy scratch on Thursday against the Pittsburgh Penguins, allowing Engstrom to re-enter the lineup. The 22-year-old Engstrom is averaging 12:06 time-on-ice through his first two career NHL games.

Xhekaj is averaging a career-low 11:59 time-on-ice this season and will head to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. He has one assist in 27 games. Adam Engstrom will draw back into the lineup as Xhekaj's replacement.

Fowler will be making his first career NHL start on Thursday, after starting the AHL season at 10-5-0 with a 2.09 GAA and .919 SV% in 15 games with Laval. With Sam Montembeault and Jakub Dobes struggling, the Canadiens will turn to Fowler for a spark between the pipes. The 2023 third-round pick will face the Penguins on the road, and Montreal enters play as +110 road underdogs. He's a below-average stream on Thursday, but could be a worthwhile pickup if he plays well and earns more playing time in Montreal.

Jake Evans (personal) will not play on Thursday against the Pittsburgh Penguins, allowing Beck to re-enter the lineup. The 21-year-old Beck has been limited to only two games this season. He has one assist in 15 career games.

Evans is away from the team, tending to personal matters, and will not play tomorrow against the Pittsburgh Penguins, but should be back in the lineup on Saturday against the New York Rangers. The 29-year-old Evans has eight points (4G / 4A) in 29 games this season. Owen Beck will draw into the lineup as Evans' replacement.

Montembeault has not played in a week but will dress on Tuesday, returning from an illness to serve as Jakub Dobes' backup. The 29-year-old Montembeault's next chance to return to the crease will be on Thursday against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Dobes has been wildly inconsistent this season, following up a remarkable 1.96 GAA and .930 SV% in six October games (6-0-0) with an unsightly 4.42 GAA and .849 SV% in seven November games (2-3-2). The 24-year-old Czech goalie seemed to be trending back in the right direction, starting December off with a terrific 1.50 GAA and .945 SV% in his first two games (2-0-0) before allowing four goals on 18 shots (.778 SV%) in Sunday's 4-3 loss to the St. Louis Blues. It's unclear which version of Dobes will show up on Tuesday, as the Canadiens enter the action as -112 home favorites against a Tampa Bay Lightning team that has not scored a goal in two straight games (0-2-0).

Dobes was excellent in Montreal's 3-2 shootout win over the Winnipeg Jets on Wednesday, saving 30 of 32 shots (.938 SV%), and will be rewarded with another start on Saturday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Czech goalie has a dazzling 1.97 GAA and .930 SV% in six October games (6-0-0), but followed that up with an ugly 4.42 GAA and .849 SV% in seven November outings (2-3-2).

The Canadiens have lost seven of their last 10 (3-6-1) and will turn to Dobes on Wednesday against the Winnipeg Jets. After a sensational first month of the season, posting a stellar 1.97 GAA and .930 SV% in six games (6-0-0), Dobes has fallen off significantly, ending November with an ugly 4.42 GAA and .849 SV% in seven games (2-3-2). The Canadiens hope to change their fortunes on Wednesday, entering the action as +105 home underdogs against a struggling Jets team that has lost five of its last six (1-5-0).