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

Montreal Canadiens vs. Toronto Maple Leafs

How to watch

Start time: 7:00 PM EST / 4:00 PM PST
In Canada: CBC, Sportsnet E/O/P/1, Sportsnet Now (English), TVA Sports (French)
In the US: NHL Network
Streaming: NHL.tv/NHL Live

After several months of recovery, Jonathan Drouin will be returning to the Canadiens lineup soon, possibly even tonight as the winger is a game-time decision. The Habs have already made room for him by assigning Ryan Poehling to the AHL.

His return would certainly help the Habs go with a more power-on-power approach versus the visiting Maple Leafs. Both sides have had defensive issues even with a healthy blue line, and neither side boasts one of those tonight. If it turns into a goal fest as these games have tended to do in recent seasons, Drouin would help even the odds.

It should be an entertaining game between the two, but also a critical one in the Atlantic Division standings. Another high-scoring game last night allowed the Maple Leafs head to Montreal with a win, and they are now six points clear of the Canadiens in third place in that race. The Canadiens can’t allow that gap to reach eight on home ice.

Montreal Canadiens projected lineup

Toronto Maple Leafs projected lineup