Canadiens @ Canucks: Game thread, rosters, lines, and how to watch

Montreal Canadiens @ Vancouver Canucks

How to watch

Start time: 10:00 PM EST / 7:00 PM PST
In the Canadiens region: TSN2, TSN Direct (English), RDS, RDS Direct (French)
In the Canucks region: Sportsnet Pacific, Sportsnet Now
Streaming: NHL.tv/NHL Live

Montreal begins one of the year’s West Coast trips tonight, finding their way back home via Western Canada’s most populous cities. Their first stop on that journey is Vancouver, taking on the Canucks.

Despite some good news on the Canadiens’ injury front, with several players returning to at least light practice, no player will make his return this evening, leaving the group largely intact from Saturday night. One change was made after Otto Leskinen was returned to Laval: Mikey Reilly is back in for his first game since November 28.

Vancouver has a good deal of talent throughout their roster, though not enough to complete the formation. The coaching staff has been forced to fill out lines and pairings with players not at the level of their linemates, which has prevented the team from really blossoming with the likes of Elias Pettersson, Brock Boeser, and Quinn Hughes. The result is a bubble team tied in points with Montreal, trying to secure as many points as possible and stay in their division playoff race.

The home side should have trouble securing the win tonight after Montreal’s poor performance versus the Red Wings three days ago. The Habs should be determined to play their best game, and we’ll find out very early if that is indeed the case.

Montreal Canadiens projected lineup

Injured: Paul Byron, Jonathan Drouin, Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Victor Mete, Matthew Peca
Scratched: Christian Folin

Vancouver Canucks projected lineup