Montreal Canadiens News

Veleno will take a seat on Thursday in order to make way for the return of Michael Rasmussen (upper-body). Veleno has five goals and five assists in 56 games this season.

Kahkonen has spent most of the previous two seasons in the AHL but is no stranger to the NHL, providing some solid goaltending depth for the Panthers. The 28-year-old goalie has a 3.34 GAA and .898 SV% in 140 career NHL games (49-68-15)

The Canadiens have won five straight, continuing their push for a Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference, and will turn to Montembeault between the pipes on Thursday against the Edmonton Oilers. Montembeault was solid in his most recent outing, saving 33 of 36 shots (.917 SV%) in a 4-3 overtime win over the Buffalo Sabres. The 28-year-old Montembeault has only allowed eight goals in his last four games (4-0-0), posting a solid .927 SV%. The Canadiens enter Thursday's contest as sizeable +205 road underdogs against an Oilers squad that has lost six of their previous seven games (1-6-0).

Evans has 28 points (12G / 16A) in 61 games this season, only one shy of the career-high 29 points (13G / 16A) he scored in 72 games in the 2021-22 season. The 28-year-old forward has spent his entire six-year career in Montreal.

The Canadiens have won four straight and will turn to Montembeault between the pipes on Monday against the Buffalo Sabres. Montembeault was serviceable in his most recent outing, saving 23 of 26 shots (.885 SV%) in a 4-3 overtime win over the San Jose Sharks. The 28-year-old Montembeault has has allowed three or fewer goals in eight of his last 10 (5-5-0), posting a .905 SV%. The Canadiens enter Monday's contest as slight -110 home favorites against a Sabres club amid a two-game losing skid.

Dach will be sidelined for the remainder of the season after undergoing successful knee surgery. The 24-year-old Dach has not lived up to potential this season, recording 22 points (10G / 22A) and a -29 plus/minus in 57 games.

The Canadiens have won three straight, outscoring their opposition 13-5, and will turn to Dobes between the pipes on Saturday against the Buffalo Sabres. Dobes struggled in his most recent outing, allowing three goals on eight shots (.625 SV%) in a 5-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 23-year-old Czech netminder has a 2.71 AA and .908 SV% in nine appearances this season (5-2-1).

With Roman Josi (upper body) sidelined, Del Gaizo will re-enter the lineup for the Predators. Del Gaizo has split time this season between Nashville and Milwaukee (AHL). The 25-year-old defenseman has already played a career-high 21 games with Nashville this season, scoring three points (0G / 3A).

Anderson awkwardly collided face first in the board in Tuesday's 4-0 win over the Carolina Hurricanes, exiting the contest with 12:43 time-on-ice. He will return to the ice on Thursday against the San Jose Sharks, aiming to add to his 19 points (9G / 10A) through 58 games this season.

Del Gaizo has split time this season between Nashville and Milwaukee (AHL). The 25-year-old defenseman has already played a career-high 21 games with Nashville this season, scoring three points (0G / 3A).

The Canadiens have outscored the opposition 9-2 during a two-game winning streak and will roll with Montembeault between the pipes on Thursday against the San Jose Sharks. The 28-year-old Montembeault was tremendous in his previous outing, saving all 20 shots he faced, recording his fourth shutout of the season in an impressive 4-0 win over the Carolina Hurricanes. The 28-year-old Montembeault has a 2.90 GAA and .899 SV% in 44 games this season (20-21-3). The Canadiens enter Thursday's contest as sizeable -210 home favorites against a Sharks club amid a six-game losing skid (0-4-2).

Dobson has not played since January 20th, missing 11 consecutive games due to a lower-body injury, but will likely draw back into the Islanders' lineup on Thursday against the Boston Bruins. The 25-year-old Dobson has 24 points (6G / 18A) in 46 games this season and will likely reclaim his role on the top powerplay unit, a spot temporarily occupied by Tony DeAngelo.

Beck has not played since before the break for the 4Nations Face-Off but he will return to Montreal's lineup on Tuesday against the Carolina Hurricanes. The 21-year-old Beck is averaging 9:45 time-on-ice and has yet to record a point through six games this season.

Montembeault was excellent in his return from the 4Nations Face Off, saving 25 of 27 shots (.926 SV%) in a 5-2 win over the Ottawa Senators on Saturday. He returns to the crease on Tuesday against the Carolina Hurricanes. The 28-year-old Montembeault has a 2.97 GAA and .897 SV% through 43 games this season (19-21-3).

The Jets opted to give Connor Hellebuyck some extra rest of the weekend, but he is expected to return to the crease on Monday, resulting in Kahkonen returning to the Manitoba Moose (AHL). The 28-year-old Kahkonen has a 3.34 GAA and .885 SV in 20 games with Manitoba this season (6-13-0).

With Connor Hellebuyck remaining out due to rest from the Four Nations Tournament, Kaapo Kahkonen has been recalled from Manitoba (AHL) and is expected to back up Eric Comrie on Saturday. Kahkonen is expected to be returned to the minors once Hellebuyck returns to the team in Winnipeg on Monday.

Montembeault was a member of the winning Canadian team at the 4-Nations Face Off but served as the team's third goaltender and did not play, making him well rested for Saturday's contest against the Ottawa Senators. The 28-year-old Montembeault has a 3.00 GAA, .897 SV%, and three shutouts in 42 appearances this season (18-21-3).

Reinbacher underwent knee surgery after suffering a knee injury in a preseason game in September and has been sidelined since. He was originally given an early-March timeline and appears on track to begin his 2024-25 campaign in the AHL with the Laval Rocket. The 20-year-old blueliner appeared in 11 AHL games a season ago, scoring two goals with three assists.