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

Montreal Canadiens @ Tampa Bay Lightning

How to watch

Start time: 7:00 PM EST / 4:00 PM PST
In Canada: CityTV, Sportsnet East/360, Sportsnet Now (English), TVA Sports (French)
In the Lightning region: SUN
Streaming: NHL.tv/NHL Live

The Canadiens may have added a forward back into the mix over the Christmas break, as Jesperi Kotkaniemi returns to the lineup, dropping into Nick Suzuki’s spot at third-line centre. However, the wrist injury Joel Armia sustained in Winnipeg in the Canadiens’ last game has another Finn on the sidelines, creating the hole Suzuki will fill in tonight’s game.

Armia’s loss is a big one. His size and puck-protection skills will be sorely missed versus a skilled division rival. The good news is that after several games of trying to work with some linemates who weren’t quite at his level, Suzuki gets to play alongside some players more likely to generate some offence, and that line could be a key one in tonight’s game.

Montreal Canadiens projected lineup

Injured: Joel Armia, Paul Byron, Jonathan Drouin, Victor Mete, Matthew Peca
Scratched: Christian Folin, Mikey Reilly, Lukas Vejdemo

Tampa Bay Lightning projected lineup