The NHL's newest star steps onto hockey's biggest stage as Connor Bedard and the Chicago Blackhawks take on the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre.

GAME DAY PREVIEW | Chicago Blackhawks vs Montreal Canadiens

Game Preview

Roster News 

No lineup changes are expected for the Canadiens for their second game of the regular season with the exception of Sam Montembeault getting his first start in goal.

Christian Dvorak continues to skate with the team wearing a non-contact jersey.

Last Game

In a roller-coaster of an opening game, the Canadiens twice held two-goal leads but couldn't hold them. In the end, Montreal settled for a single point.

Last game: MTL 5 TOR 6 (SO)

For a complete game recap: Canadiens Battle the Leafs in a Thrilling Match | RECAP: MTL @ TOR 

Players to Watch

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Matchup for Game 2, Home Game 1

Bell Centre, Montreal, QC | October 14, 7:00 PM ET | TV: TVAS, SN360, CITY, SNE, NBCSCH, NHLN

Pre-Game

Tanner Pearson

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Johnathan Kovacevic

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Projected Canadiens Lineup (subject to change)

Forwards
22 Cole Caufield 14 Nick Suzuki 17 Josh Anderson
15 Alex Newhook 77 Kirby Dach 20 Juraj Slafkovsky
70 Tanner Pearson 91 Sean Monahan 11 Brendan Gallagher
49 Rafael Harvey-Pinard 71 Jake Evans 56 Jesse Ylonen

Defensemen
8 Mike Matheson 58 David Savard
59 Kaiden Guhle 52 Johnathan Kovacevic
72 Arber Xhekaj 54 Jordan Harris

Goaltenders
Starter: 35 Sam Montembeault
Alternate: 34 Jake Allen 

Out of the lineup
Scratches: Michael Pezzetta, Justin Barron, Cayden Primeau
Injuries: Christian Dvorak (lower body), Carey Price (lower body), Chris Wideman (upper body)

Visiting Bench

Saturday's night's game will include former Canadiens Corey Perry and Jarred Tinordi as well as former Montreal assistant coach Luke Richardson. But of course all eyes will be on rookie phenom Connor Bedard for his Bell Centre debut. The Blackhawks have a record of 1-1-0 on their first two games of the season.

Game Expectations

It's the home opener for the Montreal Canadiens as they host an Original-six team. The energy in the building will be electric as it typical is for the first Saturday home game. But with a potential generational superstar making his Bell Centre debut, the keenest fans in hockey will want to witness this budding talent.

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.