Canadiens vs Panthers Game Thread, rosters, lines, and how to watch

With the Habs clinching a playoff spot, the only thing that remains is to win the Atlantic Title, which would all but certainly guarantee a first round match up with the New York Rangers. A week after beating the Panthers 6-2 in Montreal, they are in Florida looking to take yet another win from a divisional opponent.

The Panthers are looking to snap a 4 game losing skid at home, and have incentive to play tonight, as the Habs were the team to knock them out of playoff contention. The Panthers have dealt with a lot of key injuries recently as well, which have had a hand in them missing this post season.

Roberto Luongo and James Reimer are still out with injuries, and so it will be Reto Berra facing Montreal tonight. They join Aleksander Barkov and Aaron Ekblad on the shelf, who are another two key players for the Panthers who have been out with injury.

Carey Price gets the night off tonight, and Charlie Lindgren will get the start in goal, as it seems Al Montoya is not yet ready to return to the lineup. As for the rest of the lineup, Steve Ott replaces Michael McCarron on the fourth line, and Shea Weber will sit out with an injury for the next two games. Nikita Nesterov draws in his absence.

How to watch

Puck drop: 7:30 PM EDT / 4:30 PM PDT

In Canada: Sportsnet East (English), RDS (French)

In the United States: FS-F

Elsewhere: NHL.tv/NHL Gamecentre Live, NHL Center Ice

Injured: Shea Weber (lower body), Al Montoya (lower body), Jordie Benn (upper body)

Injured: Aaron Ekblad (neck), Roberto Luongo (lower body), James Reimer (upper body), Aleksander Barkov (upper body)