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 |