Andersen has been battling an undisclosed injury after playing 15:18 time-on-ice on Tuesday against the Dallas Stars but will not miss any game action as he is expected to play on Thursday against the Buffalo Sabres. Anderson only has six goals through 37 games this season but has six points (5G / 1A) in his last eight.
Kahkonen is winless in his last six appearances but will return to the crease on Tuesday against the Detroit Red Wings. Despite a 0-5-0 record, Kahkonen has allowed three or fewer goals in four of his last five outings and has posted a respectable .923 SV%. That said, the Sharks are +161 home underdogs on Tuesday against the Red Wings, who have lost three of their last four games (1-3-0).
Kahkonen is winless in his last six appearances but is expected to return to the crease on Tuesday against the Detroit Red Wings. Despite a 0-5-0 record, Kahkonen has allowed three or fewer goals in four of his last five outings and has posted a respectable .923 SV%. That said, the Sharks are +161 home underdogs on Tuesday against the Red Wings, who have lost three of their last four games (1-3-0).
Montembeault has only started one of the last four games for the Canadiens but will return to the crease for the second consecutive game on Tuesday when they visit the Dallas Stars. Montemneault has unquestionably been the most reliable netminder between the pipes for the Canadiens but has struggled lately, allowing four goals in each of his last two games (0-1-1), posting a subpar .818 SV%. The Canadiens are significant +244 road underdogs against a Stars team that has outscored their opposition 13-5 in their last two games (2-0-0).
Caufield has four points during his current four-game point streak (1G / 3A) and will play on Thursday after not partaking in the morning skate on Thursday. The talented winger has one goal in his last 11 games but still produces a high shot volume, averaging 3.4 shots per game.
Caufield has four points during his current four-game point streak (1G / 3A) and will likely be a game-time decision after not partaking in the morning skate on Thursday. The talented winger has one goal in his last 11 games but still produces a high shot volume, averaging 3.4 shots per game.
With Mackenzie Blackwood out of the lineup due to illness, the Sharks will turn to Kahkonen on Wednesday against the Los Angeles Kings. Despite failing to record a victory, Kahkonen has played very well in his last two outings, allowing only four goals on 62 combined shots (.935 SV%). That said, the Sharks are significant +294 road underdogs against the Kings, who will turn back to David Rittich, who limited the Sharks to one goal in a 4-1 loss last week.
Montembeault will start for the third time in the last four games for the Canadiens on Thursday when they face off against the Minnesota Wild. Over his last nine appearances, Montembeault has recorded a save percentage of .900 or better in each contest, posting a combined .921 SV% and 5-2-1 record. The Canadiens, looking for their first three-game winning streak of the season, will be hard-pressed for a victory against a Minnesota team that defeated them 5-2 on October 17th when Montembeault allowed five goals on 35 shots (.857 SV%).
Kahkonen will return to the crease on Tuesday when the Sharks face off against the Los Angeles Kings. In his last outing, Kahkonen saved 23 of 24 shots (.958 SV%) but was unvictorious in a 1-0 loss to the Arizona Coyotes. The Sharks have lost two straight, being outscored 7-2, and are sizeable +228 home underdogs against a Kings team that has lost three of their last four (1-2-1) and will turn to David Rittich between the pipes for the first time this season.
Kahkonen will likely return to the crease on Tuesday when the Sharks face off against the Los Angeles Kings. In his last outing, Kahkonen saved 23 of 24 shots (.958 SV%) but was unvictorious in a 1-0 loss to the Arizona Coyotes. The Sharks have lost two straight, being outscored 7-2, and are sizeable +228 home underdogs against a Kings team that has lost three of their last four (1-2-1) and will turn to David Rittich between the pipes for the first time this season.
Kahkonen has seen a steady dose of action lately and will start for the fourth time in the last eight games for the Sharks. The Sharks have points in four straight games (3-0-1), and Kahkonen has won four of his last five games (4-0-1), highlighted by a .904 SV%. The Sharks remain the league-worst in terms of shot suppression (36.7 SA / GP) but are still +171 road underdogs against the Arizona Coyotes, who have lost four straight (0-4-0).
Montembeault played well in his last game, saving 27 of 30 shots (.900 SV%), but ultimately came up short in a 4-3, 12-round shootout loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday. Montembeault will return to the crease on Saturday against the New York Islanders for his second consecutive start, the second time he has started consecutive games in December, as the Canadiens appear to be favouring the 27-year-old netminder.
Montreal's goaltending trio will continue to shuffle as Samuel Montembeault takes the crease for the first time in three games Wednesday. The 27-year-old has been Montreal's best netminder of their three with his 6-4-1 record, .912 SV% and 2.78 GAA. He faces the Pittsburgh Penguins, who are on the second half of a back-to-back after a win over Arizona Tuesday and are ranked 23rd in the NHL in goals per game (2.93).
Alexandre Carrier (upper body) is expected to return to the Predators' lineup Saturday vs. Toronto.
Carrier will miss his fourth straight game with an upper-body injury but appears to be nearing a return after participating at practice on Thursday. Before his injury, Carrier was a steadying presence on the Predators' blue line, averaging 18:08 time-on-ice and scoring eight points (1G / 7A) in 22 games.
