Amidst trade speculation, the Montreal Canadiens take on the Nashville Predators who are winners of eight straight games.
GAME DAY PREVIEW | Montreal Canadiens (23-28-10) vs Nashville Predators (35-25-2)
Game Preview
Roster News
Juraj Slafkovsky did not participate in Monday's practice in Nashville taking a therapy day. Slafkovsky was limping after Saturday's game against the Lightning.
Rafael Harvey-Pinard continues to practice with the team but has not yet been cleared to play.
Jayden Struble returns to the lineup after missing four games with a lower body injury.
Canadiens announce that Colin White is day-to-day with an upper-body injury.
Jake Allen (5-12-3 / 3.68 GAA / .892 SV%) is the confirmed starter for Montreal.
Last Game
The Canadiens squandered and 2-0 first period lead losing to Tampa Bay in a shootout.
Last game: MTL 3 vs TBL 4 | F/SO
Players to Watch
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Matchup for Game 62, Away Game 31
Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN. | March 5, 8:00 PM ET | TV: TSN2, RDS, BSSO, ESPN
Pre-Game
David Savard
"It's certain that one day they will have to make room for young people. There are some in Laval who play extremely well. It's certain that it creates a little more discussion."
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iM77QVO3lXs[/embed]
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: 34 Jake Allen (5-12-3 / 3.68 GAA / .892 SV%)
Alternate: 35 Sam Montembeault
Out of the lineup
Scratches: Cayden Primeau, Michael Pezzetta, Johnathan Kovacevic
Injuries: Carey Price (knee), Chris Wideman (back), Kirby Dach (knee), Christian Dvorak (upper body), Colin White (upper body)
Visiting Bench
This is the second and final meeting between the two teams. Nashville won the previous game 2-1 on December 10th.
The Predators have a record of 9-1-4 all-time against Montreal at Bridgestone Arena.
Defenseman Roman Josi has 14 points in 17 career games against the Canadiens.
Nashville is 8-2-0 in their last 10 games.
Juuse Saros (26-21-2 / 2.82 GAA / .908 SV%) is the likely starter for the Predators.
Game Expectations
The Canadiens haven't fared well in Nashville in recent years. The Predators are unbeaten in regulation in their last five games against the Habs at Bridgestone Arena.
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.
