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

Montreal Canadiens @ Toronto Maple Leafs

How to watch

Start time: 7:30 PM EDT / 4:30 PM PDT
In Canada: Sportsnet
In the Canadiens region: RDS (French)
In the US: NBCSN
Streaming: NHL.tv/NHL Live, RDS Direct, Sportsnet Now

Montreal lost two key players in their last game. Brendan Gallagher is out once again with a broken bone in his hand, going on long-term injured reserve today, while Carey Price, who put up with a minor injury he sustained during the game, is now getting time off to make sure it heals. Despite the injuries, the Canadiens found a way to rally from a two-goal deficit in the third period, culminating in Eric Staal’s game-winner in overtime to cap his debut.

Price’s replacement going forward is simple enough. Jake Allen has been playing regularly throughout the season, so this is just a chance to get a bit more work. Already missing Joel Armia, Dominique Ducharme had to get a bit creative on right wing, and has opted to try Jesperi Kotkaniemi on Phillip Danault’s line; a promotion for those with optimistic points of view, a step down from the centre position for others. A game or two on the wing probably isn’t going to erase the good work he’d been doing at centre recently, and he gets a chance to work with two players with good chemistry. Jake Evans will come back in to flesh out the centre position, looking to pick up where he left off before Staal forced him out of the lineup.

The Toronto Maple Leafs will be a man short as well tonight as it has emerged that William Nylander is being held out after a close contact had a positive COVID test, so it is a battle between two weakened rosters, with the depth of players like Evans potentially being the difference.

Montreal Canadiens projected lineup

Injured: Ben Chiarot (broken hand), Brendan Gallagher (broken thumb), Carey Price (lower-body)
COVID unavailable list: Joel Armia

Toronto Maple Leafs projected lineup