Habs lines at morning skate: Alexei Emelin set for return

The Montreal Canadiens had their morning skate today at the Bell Sports Complex, and the big news was that Alexei Emelin took part.

It looks like Emelin will take part in tonight’s game as part of the third pair with Nathan Beaulieu.

Emelin is a left-handed shot and I would expect to see some shifts with Emelin with Jeff Petry, and some with Jordie Benn and Beaulieu. Claude Julien has mixed his pairs based on situation, and I don’t expect that to change, especially with last change tonight.

Up front, after a mini shake-up in Game Four, the lines returned to normal with Alexander Radulov back on the top line, and Andrew Shaw back with Alex Galchenyuk and Artturi Lehkonen.

It appears as though the Canadiens are looking at refining their game plan and putting together a better effort than making wholesale changes after a disappointing Game Four.

Despite a subpar performance, they were a Shea Weber shot off the goal post from sending the game to overtime.

Puck drop is at 7:00 p.m. back at the Bell Centre.

Update: Emelin will be a game-time decision after taking the warm up