Canadiens @ Rangers: Game thread, lines, and how to watch

Game 75: Montreal Canadiens @ New York Rangers

Start time: 7:00 PM EDT / 4:00 PM PDT
In the Canadiens region: TSN2 (English), RDS (French)
In the Rangers region: MSG
Streaming: ESPN+, RDS, TSN+

The Canadiens have made a habit of beating some good teams in the last few weeks, getting their defensive game together just in time for a tough portion of their schedule. Tonight it’s a bad club they take on at Madison Square Garden, one of the two in the NHL to be eliminated from playoff contention, so the threat of a letup lingers for this game.

Montreal was guilty of not playing the full 60 minutes in each of the first two meetings this year, though they have been much better over the last three weeks or so after holding a meeting about their defensive play. They’ve also gotten quality goaltending in that time, including from tonight’s expected starter, Jacob Fowler, who has a .907 save percentage since the Olympics.

Despite going into the season as a Stanley Cup contender, there wasn’t a great deal of offence to be had from the Rangers’ roster. That was especially true after trading away Artemiy Panarin — who still holds the team assist lead — ahead of the deadline. Coming out of the Olympics they’ve been getting much more from 2020 first-overall pick Alexis Lafrenière, their points leader with 10 goals and 10 assists in those 18 games. The Canadiens will have to treat him and the rest of New York’s top line the same way it did Nikita Kucherov’s trio on Tuesday to put on a win on the board versus the Rangers, and a first at Madison Square Garden since January of 2023.

Montreal Canadiens projected lineup

Injured: Alexandre Carrier, Kirby Dach, Alexandre Texier
Scratched: Adam Engström, Patrik Laine, Samuel Montembeault

New York Rangers projected lineup