Kahkonen joins a Devils club that already acquired Jake Allen via trade earlier on Friday, likely indicating that they will be riding a new tandem between the pipes for the remainder of the season. The 27-year-old Kahkonen was serviceable on a defensively poor Sharks team this season, posting a 3.81 GAA and .895 SV% through 31 games (6-20-3).
Montembeault has not played the last two games for the Canadiens but will return to the crease on Thursday against the Carolina Hurricanes. The 27-year-old Montembeault had a rough February but is trending in the right direction after posting a stellar .932 SV% over his last two games (1-0-1).
Slafkovsky is battling an undisclosed ailment but will be able to play on Tuesday against the Predators. The second-year Slovak forward only has one point (1G / 0A) in his last six games after amassing an impressive 12 points (6G / 6A) in his previous eight.
Magnus Chrona was excellent in his second career start on Saturday, a 3-2 shootout loss to the Dallas Stars, but the Sharks will turn to Kahkonen in a rematch on Tuesday night. Kahkonen has allowed four or more goals in four of his last five outings (0-5-0), including four on 32 shots (.875 SV%) in a 4-3 loss to the Minnesota Wild on Saturday. The Sharks enter action as significant +340 home underdogs.
Slafkovsky is battling an undisclosed ailment and might not be able to play on Tuesday against the Winnipeg Jets. The second-year Slovak forward only has one point (1G / 0A) in his last six games after amassing an impressive 12 points (6G / 6A) in his previous eight.
Belzile has enjoyed a productive season with Hartford (AHL), scoring 37 points (14G / 23A) in 43 games, earning himself a call-up. The undrafted 32-year-old has played 44 career NHL games, including 31 games last season with the Montreal Canadiens.
With Mackenzie Blackwood sidelined for the next one to two weeks due to an injury, Kahkonen will be a mainstay between the pipes for the Sharks. Kahkonen had a forgettable performance on Tuesday, entering the game in relief of Mackenzie Blackwood, allowing seven goals on 31 shots (.774 SV%) in a 7-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils. The Sharks are +113 home underdogs against the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday.
Monteumbeault tended the twine on Tuesday when the Canadiens snapped their five-game losing skid with a 4-2 victory over the Arizona Coyotes. The 27-year-old Montembeault was tremendous, saving 36 of 38 shots (.947 SV%) for his first victory in his last four outings (1-3-0). The Canadiens will be hard-pressed to continue their winning ways on Thursday when they visit a Florida Panthers team that defeated them 4-1 in their last meeting two months ago.
The Canadiens are riding a five-game losing skid and will look for Montembeault to help them re-enter the win column on Tuesday. Montembeault has allowed three or more goals in five of his last six (2-4-0), including allowing more than seven in two contests. That said, Montembeault and the Canadiens will be facing an Arizona Coyotes club amid a miserable 12-game losing streak.
The Shark returns to action from a five-day absence on Saturday and will turn to Kahkonen between the pipes. Kahkonen last played last Saturday and allowed four goals on 37 shots, including a goal in the final minute, in a 4-3 regulation loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Sharks will face off against Nashville Predators club riding a three-game winning streak.
Urho Vaakanainen will replace Lindstrom, who will be a healthy scratch for the third time in the last seven games. Lindstrom has five points (3G / 2A), 20 hits, and 32 blocks in 23 games this season.
Bolduc was recalled on Tuesday and is expected to make his NHL debut on Thursday against the New York Islanders. The 20-year-old Bolduc was drafted 17th overall by the Blues in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. Bolduc has 23 points (8G / 15A) in 48 games with the Springfield Thunderbirds (AHL) this season.
After an otherwise impressive season, Montembeault has struggled lately and has been limited to only one start in the last four games for the Canadiens. The 27-year-old Montembeault has allowed a disastrous seven or more goals in two of his last five outings (2-3-0), including seven goals allowed on 31 shots (.774 SV%) in his last contest, a 7-4 loss to the New York Rangers. The Canadiens enter action as +122 home underdogs against a Buffalo Sabres club coming off a 4-3 loss to the Anaheim Ducks.
Bolduc was recalled on Tuesday and is expected to make his NHL debut on Thursday against the New York Islanders. The 20-year-old Bolduc was drafted 17th overall by the Blues in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. Bolduc has 23 points (8G / 15A) in 48 games with the Springfield Thunderbirds (AHL) this season.
