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

Montreal Canadiens vs. Vancouver Canucks

How to watch

Start time: 7:30 PM EST / 4:30 PM PST
In the Canadiens region: TSN2, TSN Direct (English), RDS, RDS Direct (French)
In the Canucks region: Sportsnet Pacific
Elsewhere: NHL.tv/Rogers NHL Live

For the Montreal Canadiens’ first game back at the Bell Centre, good news was received yesterday afternoon. After missing a few games to close out 2018, it was reported that Carey Price would return to the crease tonight against the Vancouver Canucks, following a lower-body injury that he has apparently been dealing with for the past seven weeks. This will be a big boost to a Montreal team that had an excellent month of December, and won their last match against the Dallas Stars with a fantastic overtime effort from Jeff Petry.

Joel Armia will also be back in the lineup for the fist time since November 6. He’ll take back his spot on among his fellow Finns on the third line, likely all still beaming from last night’s big win in the World Juniors (as if they wouldn’t be anyway). His return comes just in time to replace Andrew Shaw, who was placed on the Injured Reserve list today.

The Canadiens aren’t too far behind the Bruins in the Atlantic standings, so a continued push early in January will be vital if the Canadiens have any hope of progressing into the post-season.

Tonight they play a team powered by high-flying rookie Elias Pettersson, who’s fresh off his first career hat trick, and has terrorized NHL teams with his speed and scoring ability. The Canucks have been playing great as of late. Having players like Bo Horvat, Brock Boeser, and a rejuvenated Jacob Markstrom all playing major roles, it has created the perfect storm for the Canucks to find some surprising success.

Montreal Canadiens projected lineup

Forwards

Defencemen

Goaltenders

Vancouver Canucks projected lineup

Forwards

Defencemen

Goaltenders