Canadiens vs. Penguins: Game thread, rosters, lines, and how to watch

Montreal Canadiens vs. Pittsburgh Penguins

How to watch

Puck drop: 7:00 PM EDT / 4:00 PM PDT
In Canada: CITY-TV, TVA Sports, Sportsnet Now
In the Penguins region: AT&T Sportsnet - Pittsburgh
In the US: NHL Network
Elsewhere: NHL.tv/Rogers NHL Live

Montreal traveled to Pittsburgh one week ago, and a relentless forecheck and disciplined defensive game allowed the visitors to come away with a 5-1 victory.

The team won’t have Carey Price in net to replicate that effort, as he is out with the flu. Instead, Antti Niemi will take the crease tonight, hoping to limit Phil Kessel and the Penguins’ offence in his first action of the season.

Tomas Plekanec draws in for his 999th regular-season game, taking the place of Matthew Peca. The Canadiens will be sacrificing speed for more of a defensive option, taking advantage of the the last change to get their veteran shutdown centre out against the top weapons Pittsburgh will be deploying.

The Canadiens won’t be happy about being shut out in their first game at the Bell Centre, and you can bet the team will be buzzing as they were in that first meeting with Pittsburgh.

Montreal Canadiens projected lineup

Pittsburgh Penguins projected lineup