Gallagher has not played since Nov. 29th due to a lower-body injury but will be a game-time decision Thursday as the Canadiens take on the Panthers. The 30-year-old was having a slow start to his season prior to the injury, with only three goals and five assists with 51 SOG through 22 games.
Blais has five assists, 26 SOG and a +4 plus/minus in 30 games and will draw back into the lineup Thursday after being a healthy scratch for the Rangers' last two games. He will replace Alexis Lafreniere who is a healthy scratch for the first time this season.
Kahkonen allowed five goals on 25 shots (800 SV%) for his third straight loss as he took was defeated by Calgary in his last start. The Sharks' backup has been one of the league's worst goaltenders this season, with his 3-7-2 record, .872 SV% and 3.83 GAA. He takes on the Minnesota Wild, who have won seven of their last eight games after a 4-1 win over Winnipeg in their last game.
Laine has nine goals, seven assists, 72 SOG and a -7 plus/minus through 20 games and will now be forced to miss time indefinitely as he deals with Covid. If Laine is forced to miss time it will be the third time this season he missed a chunk of time due to injury/illness.
Matheson returned for one game before it was announced Monday that he would be out indefinetly due to a lower-body injury. It is another tough blow for the 28-year-old who has been dealing with injuries all season, as he has a goal, six points and 24 SOG in his first ten games played with the Canadiens.
Carrier has not played since Dec. 10th due to an upper-body injury but will return a bit ahead of plans Monday after originally being considered week-to-week. The 26-year-old has one goal, 26 SOG and eight PIMs through 23 games prior to the injury and will lineup on a pair with Mattias Ekholm.
Evans has five assists, 28 SOG and nine PIMs playing in all 29 of Montreal's games this season but will be a healthy scratch Thursday as Rem Pitlick draws back into the lineup.
Caufield left Monday's game vs. Calgary after just eight shifts and 8:05 TOI due to an upper-body injury but should return to the lineup Wednesday. The 21-year-old has been having a strong second full season, with 16 goals, 25 points, 96 SOG and a -3 plus/minus through 29 games so far this season.
Montembeault is coming off his worst start of the season where he allowed seven goals on 32 shots (.781 SV%) as he lost to Vancouver on Dec. 5th. The Canadiens' backup has otherwise been solid this season, posting a 5-2-2 record, 2.97 GAA and .908 SV%. He will face the Ottawa Senators, who have won their last two games and are sixth in the NHL in shots per game (33.9).
Carrier left the Predators' previous game vs. Ottawa after only 7:20 TOI and is now week-to-week with an upper-body injury. The 26-year-old has one goal, 26 SOG and eight PIMs through 23 games prior to the injury.
Kahkonen allowed five goals on 39 shots (.872 SV%) as he picked up his third loss in four starts in a loss to Ottawa. The Sharks' backup has struggled mightily this season, with a 3-6-2 record, 3.57 GAA and .882 SV%. He draws the Vancouver Canucks who are coming off the most exciting game yet with a 7-6 comeback victory over Montreal in their previous contest.
Gallagher will miss his third straight game with a lower-body injury on Monday and is expected to miss at least two weeks. Juraj Slafkovsky will continue to play a larger role while Gallagher is out.
