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

The Montreal Canadiens are back in action after getting several days off for the All-Star break. In the time off, they traveled to the US Midwest, and will start a short two-game road trip with a matchup versus the St. Louis Blues.

The forward lines remain intact from the team’s five-goal performance againt the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday, but after giving up six, Claude Julien has made a change on the back end.

Jordie Benn, who was on the ice for four of the ‘Canes’ goals, and each of the first three, sits out tonight. The coach was publicly critical of Benn’s play when speaking to media today, saying he needs to work harder on the ice. The defender will be given at least one game to observe the team from above, seeing Joe Morrow skating in his place.

No matter which six blue-liners he put on the ice, Julien was looking at a tough matchup versus a potent Blues lineup. Versus Brayden Schenn, Vladimir Tarasenko, and company, it will be more about limiting the offence than containing it for the Habs’ beleaguered defence corps, which will hope that the forwards are able to carry the play that has seen nine goals scored over their last two contests.

Puck drop is at 8:00 PM EST / 5:00 PM PST

How to watch

In the Canadiens region: TSN2, TSN GO (English), RDS (French)
In the Blues region: FS-MW
Elsewhere: NHL.tv/NHL GameCentre Live, NHL Center Ice

Montreal Canadiens projected lineup

Forwards

Left Wing Centre Right Wing
Nikita Scherbak Phillip Danault Artturi Lehkonen
Alex Galchenyuk Jonathan Drouin Brendan Gallagher
Paul Byron Jacob de la Rose Logan Shaw
Nicolas Deslauriers Byron Froese Andrew Shaw

Defence

Left Defence Right Defence
Jordie Benn Jeff Petry
Karl Alzner Noah Juulsen
Mike Reilly David Schlemko

Goaltenders

Goaltenders
Antti Niemi
Charlie Lindgren

Scratched: Daniel Carr, Jordie Benn
Injured: Shea Weber (foot), Ales Hemsky (concussion), Andrew Shaw (lower-body), Phillip Danault (concussion)

St. Lous Blues projected lineup

Forwards

Left Wing Centre Right Wing
Brad Marchand Riley Nash David Pastrnak
Jake DeBrusk David Krejci Rick Nash
Tommy Wingels David Backes Brian Gionta
Tim Schaller Sean Kuraly Noel Acciari

Defence

Left Defence Right Defence
Zdeno Chara Charlie McAvoy
Torey Krug Kevan Miller
Nick Holden Brandon Carlo

Goaltenders

Goaltenders
Tuukka Rask
Anton Khudobin

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