Johnathan Kovacevic will replace Struble on Tuesday night against the Edmonton Oilers. Struble had played five of the last six games for the Canadiens, averaging fewer than 15 minutes of ice time and being held off the scoresheet.
Montreal's goaltending carousel continues on Tuesday as Samuel Montembeault takes back the crease and looks to end a personal four-game losing streak. The 27-year-old netminder has played well despite Montreal providing limited offense this season, with his 13-12-6 record, 3.11 GAA and .905 SV%. He draws the difficult task of Edmonton on the road Tuesday, who have won seven of their last 10 games and currently sit fourth in the NHL in goals per game (3.52).
Reinbacher was the fifth overall pick of the Canadiens in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft and is set to make his professional North American debut after being reassigned to the Laval Rocket (AHL). The Austrian-born Reinbacher had 11 points (1G / 10A in 35 games with Kloten HC (NL) this season.
Struble will watch Thursday's game against the Boston Bruins from the pressbox as Jordan Harris will draw into the lineup as his replacement. Struble played the last four games for the Canadiens, averaging nearly 15 minutes time-on-ice, and recording 13 hits.
The Canadiens won 3-0 on Tuesday, courtesy of a 41-save shutout from Cayden Primeau, but will return Montebeault between the pipes on Thursday. Montembeault has lost three straight, allowing three goals in each, including a 24-save performance (.889 SV%) in a 3-2 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs in his last outing. Montembeault last faced the Bruins on January 20th and had an abysmal outing, allowing eight goals on 30 shots (.733 SV%) in a 9-4 loss.
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.
Texier has points in only one of his last seven games, a two-point outing (0G / 2A) on February 21st against the Anaheim Ducks. Texier has most recently been playing on the fourth line with Sean Kuraly and Mathieu Oliver.
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.
