Montreal Canadiens News

Mathieu Joseph will return from a one game absence, resulting in Texier being sidelined as a healthy scratch. The 25-year-old Texier, after recording three points (1G / 2A) and a -1 plus/minus in his first five games, has a -5 rating and zero points in seven games since.

Tyler Motte will draw back into the Red Wings lineup on Thursday, resulting in Veleno being a healthy scratch. The Red Wings have had trouble generating offense this season, evident by Veleno's two points (1G / 1A) in 17 games.

Mathieu Joseph will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday, allowing Bolduc to re-enter the lineup. The 21-year-old Bolduc is averaging 11:38 time-on-ice and has four points (0G / 4A) in 14 games this season.

The Canadiens will turn to Montembeault between the pipes for the seventh time in eight games. The 28-year-old Montembeault has had an up-and-down campaign but has played well lately, saving 54 of 57 shots (.947 SV%) across his previous three outings (2-1-0). The Canadiens enter the action on Monday as sizeable +236 home underdogs against an Edmonton Oilers club with points in four straight (3-0-1).

Texier will take a seat on Thursday as Kasperi Kapanen draws back into the Blues' lineup. Texier has one goal and two assists in ten games this season.

Montembeault saved all four shots he faced after entering Monday's exciting 7-5 victory over the Buffalo Sabres and was the goalie of record, recording the victory after relieving Cayden Primeau. The 28-year-old Montebeault has had an inconsistent 2024-25 season, recording a 3.42 GAA and .890 SV% in 12 games (4-7-1). Montembeault and the Canadiens will be heavily tested on Thursday, facing off against the Minnesota Wild and their top-10 offense, averaging 3.5 goals per game.

Tyler Motte will serve as a healthy scratch on Wednesday, allowing Veleno to make his return from a one-game absence. The 24-year-old Veleno is averaging 11:14 time-on-ice and has two points (1G / 1A) in 13 games this season.

Kahkonen was reclaimed off waivers by the Jets after losing him via waivers to the Colorado Avalanche earlier this season. The 28-year-old Kahkonen had one game to prove himself in an Avalanche uniform but allowed four goals on 20 shots (.800 SV%) in a losing effort and was placed back on waivers, reclaimed by the Jets. Kahkonen had a poor 2023-24 campaign split between the San Jose Sharks and New Jersey Devils, posting a 3.64 GAA and .898 SV%.

Kahkonen was placed on waivers by the Jets earlier this season and claimed by the Avalanche. The 28-year-old Kahkonen had one game to prove himself in an Avalanche uniform but allowed four goals on 20 shots (.800 SV%) in a losing effort and was placed back on waivers, reclaimed by the Jets. Kahkonen had a poor 2023-24 campaign split between the San Jose Sharks and New Jersey Devils, posting a 3.64 GAA and .898 SV%.

Condotta is an undrafted 27-year-old that made his professional debut in the 2021-22 season with the Laval Rocket (AHL). He has four games of NHL experience and has four points (0G / 4A) in nine games in the AHL this season.

The Canadiens are riding a four-game losing skid, their second of the season, and will turn to Montembeault between the pipes for the third consecutive game on Thursday against the New Jersey Devils. After starting the season exquisitely, saving 72 of 73 shots (.986 SV%) in his first two games (2-0-0), Montembeault has settled into an ugly 3.37 GAA and .898 SV% through nine games (3-5-1). The Canadiens will face off against a Devils squad with an 8-5-2 record that has scored 53 goals this season, third-most in the NHL.