Xhekaj played only 10:19 before exiting the game with an upper-body injury and is now considered day-to-day after not practicing Friday. He has three points (1G / 2A) in 17 games this season along with 41 hits and 47 penalty minutes. Xhekaj's status will be re-evaluated on Friday.
Xhekaj played only 10:19 before exiting the game with an upper-body injury. He has three points (1G / 2A) in 17 games this season along with 41 hits and 47 penalty minutes. Xhekaj's status will be re-evaluated on Friday.
Barre-Boulet will sit in favour of Austin Watson, who draws back into the Lightning lineup on Thursday. Barre-Boulet has four goals and three assists in 14 games on the season.
Pezzetta will return to the lineup after not playing in the Canadiens' most recent game, drawing in for an injured Rafael Harvey-Pinard (lower body). Pezzetta has two points (1G / 1A) in 12 games, averaging 7:46 time-on-ice, and is expected to suit up on the fourth line with Jesse Ylonen and Jake Evans.
Harvey-Pinard appears to be inching closer to a return but will remain out of the Canadiens' lineup on Thursday. Harvey-Pinard will have missed four of the Canadiens' last seven games due to a lower-body injury. The 24-year-old has yet to score this season but has four assists, 11 SOG, and two PIMs in 13 games.
Primaeu will start his second game of the season when the Canadiens take on the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday. On November 9th against the Detroit Red Wings, Primeau put together a terrific effort for his first victory, saving 27 of 29 shots (.931 SV%). Despite being serviceable in limited action this season, optimism is low for Primeau and the Canadiens on Thursday as they are +172 home underdogs against the defending Stanely Cup Champion Golden Knights. That said, Vegas has lost three of their last four games (1-3-0), held to two goals or fewer in three of them.
Montembault has been a consistent bright spot on an up-and-down season for the Canadiens and will play his seventh game on Tuesday against the Calgary Flames. Montembault has put together a stellar .911 SV% in his last five appearances, allowing only 13 goals in his last five appearances (2-1-1). The Canadiens are +148 home underdogs but are playing a Flames team that has lost two straight (0-1-1) and ranks sixth-worst among goal production in the league (2.64 GF / GP).
Laine has missed the last nine games after getting hurt on a hit by Rasmus Andersson. To make room for Laine, who will skate on a line with Boone Jenner and Johnny Gaudreau, the Blue Jackets sent David Jiricek back to the AHL.
Primeau will start for the second time this season, his first game action since October 24th, a 5-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils, where he allowed four goals on 33 shots (.879 SV%). The Canadiens have held three goalies for the majority of the season but have mostly opted for the duties of Samuel Montembault and Jake Allen. Primeau and the Canadiens are +153 road underdogs on Thursday against a Detroit Red Wings team that has lost five of their last seven (2-4-1).
Harvey-Pinard appears to be inching closer to a return but will remain out of the Canadiens' lineup on Tuesday. Harvey-Pinard hasn't played since leaving Thursday's contest against the Arizona Coyotes with a lower-body injury after just six shifts and 5:06 TOI. The 24-year-old has yet to score this season but has four assists, nine SOG, and two PIMs in 10 games played before his injury.
