Canadiens vs Blackhawks game thread & lineups

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Montreal Canadiens

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Number 1. Michael Bournival is back. First game of the season and the speedy forward lines up on the left side with Brandon Prust and Manny Malhotra. 4th line - not the best of assignments, but I'll take it if it means dressing Michael Bournival.

Number 2. Still no Sekac. Will a KHL team with deep pockets acquiring his rights change his status in Montreal? A story worth following.

Number 3. I used to love NBA JAM in university ("He's heating up!" "He's on fire!"). I loved the idea of it boiling down to a team's two best players. That's why I love the idea of this game being Kane and Toews vs Markov and Subban. Of course it won't boil down to that and it'll probably be Marcus Kruger and Rene Bourque who do all the scoring, but whatever.

A few changes to the lines - Galchenyuk is back on Plek's wing and Gallagher skates on the other wing. Lars Eller moves between Bourque and Parenteau giving us the BEeP! line. Bournival draws in, and Emelin slides down to skate with Tom Gilbert.

See you in the comments!

Puck drop is at 7:30 PM ET

In the Habs Region (English): Sportsnet East

In the Habs Region (French): RDS

In Chicago: CSN Chicago

Elsewhere: NHL Center Ice or NHL Gamecenter Live

Scratched: Jiri Sekac, Travis Moen, Jarred Tinordi

As for the Chicago Blackhawks, here's how they're shaping up

Scratched: Michal Rozsival

Injured: Daniel Carcillo (knee)

Check out the opposing side at Second City Hockey

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