The Montreal Canadiens are set to face the New Jersey Devils tonight, aiming to reclaim their winning momentum after a recent loss to the Philadelphia Flyers. Currently, the Canadiens hold second place in the league, just behind the Colorado Avalanche. Tonight’s matchup marks an important opportunity for them to get back to winning ways.
Goalie Update and Injuries
Head coach Martin St-Louis has confirmed that Jakub Dobes will take the starting position in goal for the Canadiens. This game will be Dobes’ seventh appearance this season. He remains unbeaten with a record of 6-0-0, boasting a 1.97 goals-against average (GAA) and a .930 save percentage.
In a related roster move, the Canadiens have recalled defenseman Marc Del Gaizo from the Laval Rocket. However, he is not expected to play. His addition serves as insurance following Kaiden Guhle’s injury. Guhle was announced to be sidelined for four to six weeks due to a lower-body injury sustained on October 18. Although he was seen skating in Brossard recently, his return remains uncertain.
Recent Performance
Tonight’s game will be the first of three meetings between the Canadiens and the Devils this season. The two teams will face each other again in early April for back-to-back contests. New Jersey has dominated recent matchups, winning six out of the last ten encounters, including a 4-0 shutout in Montreal.
Goaltending Matchup
While predictions lean towards Jacob Markstrom as the starting goalie for the Devils, his recent performance has seen mixed results. Markstrom lost his first start after returning from injury but secured a 4-1 victory against the Los Angeles Kings thereafter. His record against the Canadiens stands at 9-8-3 with a solid 2.21 GAA. Alternatively, Jake Allen, who has a career record of 5-5-0 against Montreal, faces tough competition for the starting position.
Key Players to Watch
- Nick Suzuki: Captaining the Canadiens, Suzuki is on a point streak aiming for his 13th game.
- Cole Caufield: Tied for the league lead in goals with ten, he presents a constant threat.
- Ondrej Palat: Leading the Devils in points against the Canadiens, he has 23 points in 35 games.
- Jack Hughes: While just shy of 20 points against Montreal, he leads the league in goals.
Both teams are looking to recover from recent defeats, with the Canadiens coming off a tough match against the Flyers and the Devils losing to the Anaheim Ducks. The game is scheduled to begin at 7:00 PM, broadcast live on TSN 2 and RDS.
