Matheson played 26:05 time-on-ice in Sunday's 4-1 win over the Edmonton Oilers, but will not play on Tuesday against the Philadelphia Flyers due to an upper-body injury. The 31-year-old defenseman is averaging 24:54 time-on-ice and has 16 points (4G / 12A) in 32 games this season.
Fowler allowed five goals on 28 shots (.821 SV%) in Saturday's 5-4 overtime loss to the New York Rangers. Despite this, he will return to the crease for the third time in four games to start his NHL career. The 21-year-old Fowler had an excellent NHL debut last week, saving 36 of 38 shots (.947 SV%) in a 4-2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins. He also developed a reliable pedigree during his AHL tenure, going 10-5-0 with a 2.09 GAA and .919 SV% in 15 games with Laval this season. The Canadiens enter Tuesday's contest as -122 home favorites against a Philadelphia Flyers team on a three-game losing skid (0-0-3).
An illness circulating around the Kings' locker room will sideline two key players on Monday against the Dallas Stars, with Quinten Byfield and Danault unable to play. The 32-year-old Danault is averaging 16:19 time-on-ice and has five assists in 30 games this season.
Poulin was a first-round pick of the Penguins in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, but has yet to make an impact at the NHL level, appearing in only 15 career games. The 24-year-old forward had 20 points (9G / 11A) in 22 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL) this season.
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.
With Evgeni Malkin (upper body) and Blake Lizotte (undisclosed) placed on Injured Reserve, Pittsburgh has recalled Danton Heinen and Samuel Poulin from Wilkes-Barre Scranton (AHL). Neither drew into Pittsburgh's lineup on Tuesday, but Heinen will remain with the team while Poulin returns to the AHL. The 24-year-old Poulin has been excellent in the AHL this season, with 20 points (9G / 11A) in 21 games.
