Michael Pezzetta returns to the Canadiens lineup as Montreal hosts the Los Angeles Kings who look to set an NHL record.
GAME DAY PREVIEW | Montreal Canadiens (11-11-3) vs Los Angeles Kings (15-4-3)
Game Preview
Game Day: Montreal Canadiens vs Los Angeles KingsRoster News
Michael Pezzetta will return to the lineup in place of Joel Armia.
Arber Xhekaj made his AHL debut for the Laval Rocket on Wednesday night.
Sam Montembeault (6-3-1 / 2.66 GAA / .913 SV%) is the confirmed starter for Montreal.
Last Game
For a rare time this season, the Canadiens got out to an early lead. Josh Anderson scored his first goal in 25 games into an empty net.
Last game: MTL 4 vs SEA 2 | F
Players to Watch
- Sam Montembeault - Montembeault makes his second consecutive start ending the goalie rotation in place since October 23rd.
- Juraj Slafkovsky - Slafkovsky will continue his audition on the top line. He played more confidently with Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield against the Kraken.
Matchup for Game 26, Home Game 15
Bell Centre, Montreal, QC. | December 7, 7:00 PM ET | TV: TSN2, RDS, BSW
Pre-Game
Sean Monahan on the Los Angeles Kings
- "They have a good forecheck. We have to limit that and have the puck more than them. They play well, we know it, and we have to be ready."
Projected Canadiens Lineup (subject to change)
Forwards
22 Cole Caufield - 14 Nick Suzuki - 20 Juraj Slafkovsky
91 Sean Monahan - 71 Jake Evans - 17 Josh Anderson
70 Tanner Pearson - 28 Christian Dvorak - 11 Brendan Gallagher
55 Michael Pezzetta - 13 Mitchell Stephens - 56 Jesse Ylonen
Defensemen
8 Mike Matheson - 27 Gustav Lindstrom
21 Kaiden Guhle - 52 Justin Barron
47 Jayden Struble - 26 Johnathan Kovacevic
Goaltenders
Starter: 35 Sam Montembeault (6-3-1 / 2.66 GAA / .913 SV%)
Alternate: 34 Jake Allen
Out of the lineup
Scratches: Mattias Norlinder, Joel Armia, Cayden Primeau
Injuries: Carey Price (knee), Chris Wideman (back), Kirby Dach (knee), David Savard (hand), Rafael Harvey-Pinard (lower body), Jordan Harris (lower body), Alex Newhook (lower body)
Visiting Bench
This will be the final meeting between the two teams this season. The Kings beat the Canadiens 4-0 on November 25th in the only other contest.
Los Angeles forward Pierre-Luc Dubois has registered eight points in his last five games against the Canadiens while a member of the Kings and Jets.
The Kings are the NHL's second most potent offense averaging 3.86 goals per game.
Cam Talbot (11-4-1 / 1.96 GAA / .930 SV%) is the likely starter for the Kings.
Game Expectations
The Kings are looking to set a new NHL record tonight for the longest road winning streak to start a season at 11 wins.
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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