The Montreal Canadiens will host the Minnesota Wild in the Habs first game since the significant injury to second line centre Kirby Dach.

GAME DAY PREVIEW | Minnesota Wild vs Montreal Canadiens

Game Preview

Roster News

The Canadiens announced that Kirby Dach has sustained a serious injury and that he will miss a significant amount of time. His evaluation continues to determine the precise diagnosis.

Sam Montembeault will get the start in goal for a second consecutive game.

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

Last Game

The Canadiens accomplished all of their scoring in a busy second period. Montreal outshot Chicago 14-5 in the middle frame. The Blackhawks made the game close but the Habs held on for the victory.  

Last game: MTL 3 CHI 2 

For a complete game recap: Canadiens Neutralize Bedard | RECAP: CHI @ MTL

Players to Watch

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Matchup for Game 3, Home Game 2

Bell Centre, Montreal, QC | October 17, 7:00 PM ET | TV: TSN2, RDS, BSN, BSWIX

Pre-Game

Jake Allen

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Projected Canadiens Lineup (subject to change)

Forwards
22 Cole Caufield  14 Nick Suzuki  49 Rafael Harvey-Pinard
20 Juraj Slafkovsky  15 Alex Newhook  17 Josh Anderson
70 Tanner Pearson  91 Sean Monahan  11 Brendan Gallagher
55 Michael Pezzetta  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: Justin Barron, Cayden Primeau
Injuries: Christian Dvorak (lower body), Carey Price (lower body), Chris Wideman (upper body), Kirby Dach (lower body)

Visiting Bench

Marc-Andre Fleury will get the start in his home province. Fleury has a record of 26-13-6 with a 2.93 GAA, a .903 SV percentage and two shutouts in 46 career starts versus Montreal.

The Canadiens will have to pay close attention to Kirill Kaprizov. In his career against Montreal, Kaprizov has two goals and three assists in four contests.

Minnesota is 14-1-0 in its last 15 games versus the Canadiens, and have won the last five meetings between the two teams.

Game Expectations

Will it be the final game at the Bell Centre tonight for Marc-Andre Fleury? It's a safe bet to wager that he won't receive the same 'respect' given to Connor Bedard on Saturday night. The Wild will ice 11 forwards and six defensemen for a total of just 17 skaters tonight. Will the Canadiens be able to take advantage?

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.