Laine will miss his third straight game on Thursday.
This isn't surprising, considering head coach Paul Maurice listed him as doubtful on Wednesday. Laine skated briefly on Wednesday, so he isn't expected to be sidelined long-term.
Montreal Canadiens News
Laine (upper-body) is doubtful to play on Thursday.
Laine returned to the ice on Wednesday but head coach Paul Maurice still has him as doubtful to go Thursday in Ottawa. With Laine out on Tuesday, Kyle Connor was back with Mark Scheifele and Andrew Copp was elevated to the second line.
Goalie Start
Price will start Wednesday in Vancouver.
Goalie Start
Kahkonen will start Wednesday in Anaheim.
Kahkonen went 3-1-1 with a 2.96 GAA and .913 SV% in his first five career NHL games in 2020. The 2014 fourth-round pick was really good in the AHL before getting promoted, going 25-6-3 with a 2.07 GAA and .927 SV%, so he’s certainly a capable backstop and makes for a solid spot start option vs. an offensively challenged Ducks team.
Line Change
Blais (suspension) is expected to draw back into the Blues lineup on Wednesday.
Blais was suspended for two games for his hit on Devon Toews in the season opener but is expected to be back in the lineup tonight vs. the Sharks. Blais is expected to replace Kyle Clifford on the fourth line.
Laine (upper-body) will not play Tuesday in Ottawa.
Laine received treatment on Tuesday morning but head coach Paul Maurice says he's still not ready to play tonight. With Laine out, Andrew Copp moved into the top-6 in the third period of Monday's loss and the Jets are expected to stick with that configuration tonight in Ottawa.
Laine (upper-body) will not play Monday in Toronto.
Laine was banged up in Sunday's practice and will not be available tonight vs. the Maple Leafs. This is a tough blow for Laine, who had a red-hot start to the season, scoring two goals with one assist in the season opener. With Laine out, Jansen Harkins will make his season debut.
Matheson will be out “longer term” with an upper-body injury.
Matheson will be a healthy scratch on Sunday.
Goalie Start
Price will start Saturday in Edmonton.
The NHL has suspended Sammy Blais for two games for an illegal check to the head on Devon Toews.
The Blackhawks have placed Kirby Dach (right wrist) on long-term IR.
Dach underwent surgery to repair a fractured right wrist in late-December and is expected to miss 4-5 months. Dach is not expected to play this season unless he's ahead of his rehab schedule, so moving him to LTIR was an inevitable move. It provides the Blackhawks with salary cap relief.
Goalie Start
Price will start the Habs' season opener in Toronto.
Price led the NHL in games played and minutes played (3440) in 2020 but could get more breathers this year with Jake Allen in as his backup. Price, who was 27-25-6 with a 2.79 GAA and .909 SV% in 58 starts, draws a tough assignment in the season opener. The Maple Leafs were third in the NHL in scoring last year but Price was 3-0-0 with a 2.58 GAA and .912 SV% against them.
Goalie Start
Price is expected to start the Canadiens season opener in Toronto.
Price led the NHL in games played and minutes played (3440) in 2020 but could get more breathers this year with Jake Allen in as his backup. Price, who was 27-25-6 with a 2.79 GAA and .909 SV% in 58 starts, draws a tough assignment in the season opener. The Maple Leafs were third in the NHL in scoring last year but Price was 3-0-0 with a 2.58 GAA and .912 SV% against them.
Dach underwent successful surgery to repair a right wrist fracture and will be out for 4-5 months.
The Canadiens have signed Kaiden Guhle to a three-year, entry-level contract.
The Canadiens have re-signed Brendan Gallagher to a six-year extension worth $39.0 million ($6.5M AAV).
The Wild have re-signed Kaapo Kahkonen to a two-year deal worth $1.45 million ($725K AAV).
The Canadiens have signed Josh Anderson to a seven-year contract worth $38.5 million ($5.5M AAV).
After acquiring Anderson from the Blue Jackets, GM Marc Bergevin inked the rugged winger through the 2027 season. The deal leaves the Canadiens with ≈$5.37M in cap space heading into free agency. Anderson, Shea Weber, Jeff Petry and Carey Price are the only four skaters in Montreal currently signed through the 2024 season.
The Canadiens have acquired Josh Anderson from the Blue Jackets for Max Domi and a 2020 third-round pick (No.78 overall).
Anderson dealt with shoulder issues all throughout 2020, limiting him to just 26 games and four points (1G / 3A). In 2019, Anderson scored a career-high 27 goals with 20 assists (47 points) in 82 games. He was one of three players who had 20-plus goals and 200-plus hits in 2019--Alex Ovechkin and Blake Coleman were the other two, pretty good company. Anderson's rugged style of play is exactly what the Habs were in search of and he will pair nicely on the second line with Nick Suzuki.