The Canadiens will unsurprisingly stick with Dobes between the pipes as the series shifts back to Montreal for Game 3. Dobes turned in another steady performance in Game 2, denying 31 of the 34 shots he faced in the 3-2 overtime defeat. Despite having home ice advantage for the first time in the series, the Canadiens still enter action on Friday as very slight underdogs at +105 on the money line.
As expected, Dobes will be back between the pipes for the Habs tonight as they look to take a commanding 2-0 series lead over the Lightning. Dobes turned in a steady performance in Montreal 1's Game 1 overtime victory, turning away 20 of the 23 shots he faced. He'll need to bring his A-game again on Tuesday night, as despite the series lead Montreal enters action as the underdogs at +150 on the money line.
After not being a healthy scratch for 14 seasons, Brandan Gallagher was held out of Montreal's lineup for the previous four games but will draw back in for Game 82 in Philadelphia on Tuesday. The 33-year-old gritty winger is having a down season offensively, with just six goals, 22 points and 39 PIMs in 76 games played while averaging 12:22 TOI.
Veleno was a healthy scratch for Montreal's previous contest but will draw back into the lineup for their final game of the season on Tuesday in Philadelphia. The 26-year-old has struggled to produce in a bottom-six role in his first season in Montreal, with just two goals, four points and a -12 plus/minus in 60 games played.
Engstrom was a healthy scratch for Montreal's previous contest but will draw back into their lineup in Philadelphia on Tuesday for Game 82. The 22-year-old Swedish defensemen made his NHL debut this season and has an assist, eight PIMs and 10 SOG in 14 games played.
With Montreal locked into their playoff position, Phillip Danault will be a healthy scratch for rest-related purposes in the Canadiens' final game of the season in Philadelphia on Tuesday. The 33-year-old veteran was acquired from Los Angeles earlier in the season and has six goals, 12 points and 20 PIMs in 45 games since joining Montreal.
With Montreal locked into their playoff spot, Josh Anderson will sit for rest-related purposes for Game 82 on Tuesday in Philadelphia. The 31-year-old veteran winger was a constant force in Montreal's bottom-six all season, with 14 goals, 23 points and 90 PIMs in 72 games played.
With nothing left to decide for the Canadiens in the 2025-26 season apart from who will have home-ice advantage in their opening-round playoff matchup against the Tampa Bay Lightning, the team will opt to rest some players in the final game of the regular season. Matheson will have the night off on Tuesday, with Adam Engstrom drawing in as his replacement. The 32-year-old Matheson has had an excellent season on Montreal's blueline, averaging 24:10 time-on-ice and scoring 37 points (7G / 30A) in 78 games.
Montreal awaits a matchup with the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round of the playoffs, but can still secure home-ice advantage, and will turn to Dobes on Tuesday for their final game of the regular season. Dobes had a poor performance in his previous outing, allowing five goals (.848 SV%) in a 5-2 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets. It was a rare blip for the Czech goalie, who has been outstanding in recent weeks, posting a stellar 2.13 GAA and .929 SV% in his last 13 games (10-3-0). The Canadiens enter Tuesday's contest as sizable -202 road favourites against a Philadelphia Flyers team that won 3-2 in a shootout last night to clinch a playoff berth.
Dobes has been excellent in recent weeks and has made his case to be the team's go-to option to start the postseason. The 24-year-old Czech goalie saved 30 of 33 shots (.909 SV%) in Montreal's previous game, a 4-3 shootout win over the Florida Panthers. Over the last month, Dobes has allowed three or fewer goals in 11 consecutive games (9-2-0), posting an outstanding 1.97 GAA and .936 SV%. The Canadiens enter Thursday's contest as slight +107 home underdogs against a Tampa Bay Lightning team that likely needs to win to keep their hopes of finishing atop the Atlantic Division alive.
