The wait is over. Here is what you need to know as the Montreal Canadiens open the 2023-24 season against their rivals, the Toronto Maple Leafs.
GAME DAY PREVIEW | Montreal Canadiens vs Toronto Maple Leafs
Montreal Canadiens vs Toronto Maple LeafsGame Preview
Roster News
- The final training camp cuts were made on Monday with Emil Heineman and Mattias Norlinder being loaned to the Laval Rocket (AHL).
- Joel Armia and Gustav Lindstrom cleared waivers and have joined Laval.
- With Christian Dvorak being placed on offseason LTIR, Chris Wideman on IR and Carey Price on inseason LTIR, the Canadiens have $10.5M in cap space.
Last Game
The Canadiens faced another weak preseason lineup, this time in Ottawa. After a rollercoaster game, the Habs ended the exhibition schedule with a win.
Last game: MTL 6 OTT 4 (preseason)
For a complete game recap: Canadiens End the Preseason With a Win | RECAP: MTL @ OTT
Players to Watch
- Juraj Slafkovsky - The Canadiens first overall pick from 2022 gets a second chance to make a good impression. Can he leave last season's struggles behind and become the player he was billed to be?
- Jake Allen - The veteran goaltender easily had the better camp of the three-headed goalie tandem. Allen is looking to make more starts this season.
- Alex Newhook and Tanner Pearson - Newhook and Pearson will make their regular season debuts in a Canadiens jersey in Toronto. Will both players be significant contributors as middle six forwards?
Matchup for Game 1 (regular season opener)
Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON | October 11, 7:00 PM ET | TV: SN, TVAS
Pre-Game
Johnathan Kovacevic
- "If you’re selling stock, I’m buying a lot of Kaiden Guhle stocks for sure! I think he’s going to take off!"
Jake Allen
- "It’s been a long time since we played a really meaningful game so we’re all chomping at the bit to go."
Marty St. Louis
- "I want to see us competing. I know we’re not going to be perfect but just competing and if we do that, play connected on the ice and balanced."
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: 34 Jake Allen
Alternate: 35 Sam Montembeault
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
The Maple Leafs have assembled a roster that should be capable of securing an Atlantic division title and competing for the Stanley Cup. Toronto will have a few new faces in the lineup with Tyler Bertuzzi and Max Domi take up spots in the top six. Ilya Samsonov is expected to get the start in goal.
Game Expectations
The key p-word for the Canadiens this season is patience. Can management, fans and the media be patient with another season of developmental growth that results in a bottom-5 finish in the standings?
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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