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

Montreal Canadiens @ Winnipeg Jets

How to watch

Start time: 7:00 PM EDT / 4:00 PM PDT
In Canada: Sportsnet E/W/P/360, Sportsnet Now, CityTV (English), TVA Sports (French)
Elsewhere: NHL.tv / Rogers NHL Live

A loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets threw a wrench into the Montreal Canadiens’ post-season plans on Thursday night. With a shot at growing their lead in the wild-card race to four points, it instead dropped to zero, placing Montreal at a disadvantage with one less game to play.

That result is in the past, however, and all Montreal can do is focus on their upcoming games and seeing where they stand once the dust settles.

The first contest will be played at Bell MTS Place against the Winnipeg Jets. The Canadiens will be without their star rookie for the game, as Jesperi Kotkaniemi is a scratch, with his place on the third line taken by Jordan Weal. Matthew Peca draws into the lineup for the first time in over a month to fill the empty spot.

On the other side, Winnipeg’s lineup gets a big addition with the return of Dustin Byfuglien after six weeks on the sidelines. The Jets will hope he can solidify the defensive game that has been wavering this season, while Montreal hopes the defenceman will be dealing with some rust in his first game back as they desperately need the two points.

Montreal Canadiens projected lineup

Winnipeg Jets projected lineup