The Montreal Canadiens are in Raleigh to take on the Carolina Hurricanes, who are currently second place in the Metropolitan Division.
GAME DAY PREVIEW | Montreal Canadiens (24-28-10) vs Carolina Hurricanes (36-19-6)
GAME DAY: Montreal Canadiens vs Carolina Hurricanes.Game Preview
Roster News
On Wednesday, the Canadiens announced that assistant general manager John Sedgwick was signed to a multi-year contract extension. Sedgwick was also named general manager of the Laval Rocket.
Juraj Slafkovsky and Alex Newhook did not participate in Wednesday's practice in Raleigh with both players taking a therapy days.
Sam Montembeault (13-10-5 / 3.15 GAA / .904 SV%) is the confirmed starter for Montreal. Montembeault has lost four of his last five starts.
Last Game
The Canadiens didn't have an answer for the Predators top line but they relied on persistence and a little luck for an overtime win.
Last game: MTL 4 vs NSH 3 | F/OT
Players to Watch
- Alex Newhook - Newhook has recorded six points (2 goals, 4 assists) in 12 games since returning to the lineup from a high ankle sprain.
Matchup for Game 63, Away Game 32
PNC Arena, Raleigh, NC. | March 7, 7:00 PM ET | TV: TSN2, RDS, BSSO, ESPN
Pre-Game
Martin St. Louis on changes to his lineup - "I like the performance of the guys who are playing now."
Watch Along Livestream
Join us on Thursday at 7 pm ET. for an online Habs watch party on the eve of the NHL Trade Deadline.
Projected Canadiens Lineup (subject to change)
Forwards
22 Cole Caufield - 14 Nick Suzuki - 20 Juraj Slafkovsky
89 Joshua Roy - 15 Alex Newhook - 40 Joel Armia
11 Brendan Gallagher - 71 Jake Evans - 17 Josh Anderson
70 Tanner Pearson - 49 Rafael Harvey-Pinard - 56 Jesse Ylonen
Defensemen
8 Mike Matheson - 21 Kaiden Guhle
72 Arber Xhekaj - 58 David Savard
47 Jayden Struble - 54 Jordan Harris
Goaltenders
Starter: 35 Sam Montembeault (13-10-5 / 3.15 GAA / .904 SV%)
Alternate: 30 Cayden Primeau
Out of the lineup
Scratches: Michael Pezzetta, Johnathan Kovacevic, Jake Allen
Injuries: Carey Price (knee), Chris Wideman (back), Kirby Dach (knee), Christian Dvorak (upper body), Colin White (upper body)
Visiting Bench
This is the second of three meetings between the two teams. Carolina won the previous game 5-3 on December 28th.
The Hurricanes have won 15 of the past 17 games against Montreal.
Sebastian Aho has recorded 20 points in 18 career games against the Canadiens.
Frederik Andersen (4-1-0 / 2.86 GAA / .894 SV%) is the confirmed starter for the Hurricanes.
Game Expectations
The Hurricanes haven't played since Saturday, a 5-3 loss to the Winnipeg Jets. The Canadiens will have to take advantage of the Canes layoff to have a strong first period start to the game.
Be sure to bookmark THN.com/Montreal for year-round coverage of the Montreal Canadiens, Laval Rocket, and Habs prospects playing in leagues around the world.
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