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

Montreal Canadiens vs. Dallas Stars

How to watch

Puck drop: 7:30 PM EDT / 4:30 PM PDT
In the Canadiens region: TSN2, TSN Direct (English), RDS, RDS Direct (French),
In the Stars region: FOX Sports-Southwest
Elsewhere: NHL.tv/Rogers NHL Live

Montreal may have only played their oppressive style of offence for a few minutes in the first period on Saturday night, but that proved enough to give them a lead on the road versus the Boston Bruins, one they never relinquished on the way to a first shutout victory of the season.

The final two periods saw the Canadiens attempting to lock down the defensive zone and allowing Carey Price to guide them to the finish line. The strategy was quite effective, as they prevented David Pastrnak from getting a single shot on goal at five-on-five, and limited one of the league’s top lines to just a handful of scoring chances on the night.

The competition will be tough once again tonight against the Dallas Stars, and relying on a defensive approach may not be the best tactic two games in a row.

Sidelined after posting 10 points in six games, Alexander Radulov will be back in the lineup, playing on the top line with with Tyler Seguin. John Klingberg is doing it all from the back end, playing 25 minutes per night and contributing 11 points in the process. Miro Heiskanen is doing his part in his rookie year, already trusted with 20 minutes of ice time per game, with three points to his name.

The defensive play hasn’t been able to match the offensive firepower, and a goal differential of just plus-one is mirrored in their 5-5-0 record, currently sitting just a point up on last place in the Central Division. There will be plenty of room for the Canadiens’ offence to operate, and a scheme more skewed toward the attack could lead to a fun night for the Bell Centre audience.

Montreal Canadiens projected lineup

Dallas Stars projected lineup