With Nick Suzuki returning from a two-week injury absence, Beck will head to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 22-year-old Beck is averaging 8:42 time-on-ice and has three points (1G / 2A) in five games.
Kirby Dach (illness) will return from a two-game absence on Thursday, sending Xhekaj to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 22-year-old Xhekaj has three points (1G / 2A), 13 penalty minutes, and 19 hits in seven games this season.
Dach was late scratch from Saturday's game due to an illness and has not played since, but will re-enter the lineup on Thursady. The 25-year-old Dach has three assists in 13 games this season. Florian Xhekaj will be a healthy scratch to accommodate the lineup change.
Suzuki has been sidelined for two weeks with an upper-body injury, but will return to action on Thursday against the Utah Mammoth. The talented 27-year-old forward has practiced in a limited capacity the past few dead, indicating he is nearing a return, but he will miss at least one more game. Suzuki has 12 points (5G / 7A) in nine games this season. Owen Beck will be a healthy scratch to accommodate the lineup change.
After a breakout 2025-26 season that continued with an impressive postseason run, Dobes has struggled early in 2026-27. As a result, the Canadiens have often turned to Jacob Fowler, who has dazzled in most games but is coming off a dreadful outing in which he allowed four goals in the final three minutes of regulation, which could potentially open a door for Dobes. The 25-year-old Dobes was serviceable in his previous outing, albeit lightly tested, saving 17 of 19 shots (.895 SV%) in a 5-2 win over the Dallas Stars. The Canadiens enter Thursday's game as slight +106 home underdogs against a Utah Mammoth team coming off a 3-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs.
After a breakout 2025-26 season that continued with an impressive postseason run, Dobes has struggled early in 2026-27. As a result, the Canadiens have often turned to Jacob Fowler, who has dazzled in most games but is coming off a dreadful outing in which he allowed four goals in the final three minutes of regulation, which could potentially open a door for Dobes. The 25-year-old Dobes was serviceable in his previous outing, albeit lightly tested, saving 17 of 19 shots (.895 SV%) in a 5-2 win over the Dallas Stars. The Canadiens enter Thursday's game as slight +106 home underdogs against a Utah Mammoth team coming off a 3-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Suzuki has been sidelined for exactly two weeks with an upper-body injury. The talented 27-year-old forward has practiced in a limited capacity the past few dead, indicating he is nearing a return, but he will miss at least one more game. Suzuki has 12 points (5G / 7A) in nine games this season.
Jakub Dobes had a breakout 2025-26 season, leading the Canadiens to an impressive playoff run, but his sluggish start to 2026-27 opened the door for Jacob Fowler, who hasn't backed down from the challenge. The 21-year-old Fowler has been sensational to start the 2026-27 season, posting an impressive 1.84 GAA and .932 SV% in eight games (7-1-0). He had a sluggish outing in his most recent game, allowing four goals on 29 shots (.862 SV%), but still helped secure a 5-4 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Canadiens enter Tuesday's game as -186 home favourites against a struggling Winnipeg Jets team on a nine-game losing streak (0-7-2).
Dach was late scratch from Saturday's game due to an illness, and will remain sidelined for practice on Monday. The 25-year-old Dach has three assists in 13 games this season. It is unclear if Dach will be an option when Montreal returns to action on Tuesday against the Winnipeg Jets.
Suzuki participated in the Canadiens' optional morning skate on Saturday morning but will miss his fifth straight game on Saturday. Saturday was a good sign that he's nearing a return and his next chance to return is next Tuesday vs. the Jets.
It's unclear who Beck will replace in the lineup, but he'll likely skate on the fourth line and has picked up just one assist and four SOG in three games this season.
Matheson suffered a lower-body injury in St. Louis on Tuesday and will be sidelined until mid-November. With Matheson out, it could be an opportunity for the Habs to recall David Reinbacher from the AHL.
Fowler stopped all 46 shots that he faced in the Canadiens' shutout win in St. Louis on Tuesday. He was given the night off in Dallas on Thursday, but will be back between the pipes for his fourth start in the last five games on Saturday. Fowler is one of the hottest goalies in the NHL right now, riding a 6-game winning streak while posting a 1.30 GAA and .954 SV%. Fowler and the Canadiens enter Saturday's game as -117 home favourites.
After a breakout 2025-26 season that continued with an impressive postseason run, Dobes has struggled early in 2026-27. As a result, the Canadiens have often turned to Jacob Fowler, who has dazzled when called upon, posting an absurd 1.54 GAA and .942 SV% in seven games (6-1-0). That said, after Fowler's sensational 46-save shutout in Montreal's previous game, the team will turn to Dobes on Thursday. The 25-year-old Dobes has played only once in the past two weeks, in a 4-3 overtime loss to the San Jose Sharks, where he allowed four goals on 30 shots (.867 SV%).
Adam Engstrom will enter Montreal's lineup on Tuesday, sending Xhekaj to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 25-year-old Xhekaj is averaging 11:50 time-on-ice, recording zero points, 16 hits, and 16 penalty minutes in 11 games this season.
