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

Montreal Canadiens vs. Ottawa Senators

How to watch

Start time: 7:00 PM EST / 4:00 PM PST
In the Canadiens region: TSN2 (English), RDS (French)
In the Senators region: TSN5 (English), RDS (French)
Streaming: NHL.tv/NHL Live, RDS Direct, TSN Direct

Despite a shutout performance from Jacob Markstrom a week ago, it has still been a very successful homestand for the Canadiens. They’re sitting on a 3-1 record, outscoring their invitees 15-9 as the offence quickly regrouped against Vancouver. No team in the NHL has more than the Habs’ 44 goals, with the closest competitors having several more games under their belts.

The Senators average just over half as many goals, which would put them in a tough spot even if the two clubs were otherwise on equal footing. The problem is that Ottawa is averaging even more goals against per game than the league-leading Habs are producing; a mark of 4.80 that is nearly a full goal worse than the 30th-place team.

All the signs point to a complete obliteration of the opponent tonight, but hockey does have a way of creating some shocking upsets. The Senators have made a few alterations to the lineup, and they’ll hope that can spark a bit more competitive play.

Erik Brannstrom steps back into Ottawa’s lineup, and he will see a familiar foe on the opposite side, Alexander Romanov. The two went toe-to-toe in the 2019 World Juniors in what was shaping up to be a battle for the tournament’s top defenceman award. An injury to Brannstrom knocked him out of the running and allowed Romanov to coast his way to that honour. Tonight, as each makes his way back into the NHL lineup, we’ll get another chance at a direct comparison.

Montreal Canadiens projected lineup

Forwards

Defencemen

Goaltenders

Injured: Joel Armia (concussion)
Scratched: Victor Mete

Ottawa Senators projected lineup

Forwards

Defencemen

Goaltenders