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 DAY: Montreal Canadiens vs Minnesota Wild.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
- Michael Pezzetta - Pezzetta makes his season debut for the Canadiens. He'll be deployed on the fourth line with Jake Evans and Jesse Ylonen.
- Alex Newhook - Newhook moves to centre on the second line and now will have to be the driving force for his linemates Juraj Slafkovsky and Josh Anderson
- Sean Monahan - Monahan leads the Canadiens with 12 points on five goals and seven assists in 25 games against Minnesota.
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
- "One of the things I respect most in goalkeepers is longevity. It's really difficult to play for so long. [Marc- Andre Fleury] is one of the best of all time. How many guys can do that?"
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?
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