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

Montreal Canadiens vs. Chicago Blackhawks

How to watch

Start time: 7:00 PM EDT / 4:00 PM PDT
In Canada: Sportsnet East, Sportsnet Now, CityTV (English), TVA Sports (French)
In the Blackhawks region: WGN
Elsewhere: NHL.tv / Rogers NHL Live

The Montreal Canadiens have been alternating home and away games this week, and that pattern will be a regular one as the 2018-19 season comes to a conclusion. This latest one-game home stint will feature the Chicago Blackhawks; a team attempting to work its way to the top of the Western Conference wild-card chase, but perhaps starting a few weeks too late to actually pull it off.

As their recent record shows, with four consecutive wins, they’re not going to give up trying. With the exception of a 7-1 victory over an Arizona Coyotes team they’re chasing, their recent matches have been close ones. Of their last seven wins, six have been by a single goal.

Alex DeBrincat and Patrick Kane have been providing much of the offence needed to come out on top during this run of success, with 13 and 12 goals, respectively, since the All-Star break. Kane has hit the 40-goal mark for the second time in his career, while DeBrincat looks poised to register his first.

Chicago’s defence is about as bad as the offence is good, however, so even with that firepower at the top they’re still a beatable team. On two occasions during their current win streak they’ve surrendered four goals, and in 10 of their last 14 contests. There’s plenty of opportunity for Montreal to get some offence in this game and head back on the road with a win under their belt.

Montreal Canadiens projected lineup

Chicago Blackhawks projected lineup