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

After spoiling the Buffalo Sabres’ home opener on Thursday night, the Montreal Canadiens will attempt to accomplish that feat again tonight, this time at the expense of the Washington Capitals.

The Canadiens opened their season with a shootout victory, with the top offensive players leading the charge. Claude Julien liked what he saw in the game, and will leave his lines intact for the second game of the season.

Being the first game of a weekend back-to-back set, it will be interesting to see how the head coach manages his players, and how evenly he’s able to distribute the ice time for a team with a rookie on both forward and defence.

Victor Mete has looked great from training camp through the first match of the new season, but will face a tough test from Alex Ovechkin, Evgeny Kuznetsov, and co. should the Capitals decide to match up against the freshman blue-liner. Charles Hudon will hope to keep the deployment honest with a good showing at the opposite end of the ice.

The Capitals have a rookie of their own dressing tonight, as Australia’s Nathan Walker makes his first home appearance. He will become the first Australian to dress for an NHL game when he steps onto the Capital One Arena ice this evening.

Puck drop is at 7:00 PM EDT / 4:00 PM PDT

How to watch

In Canada: City (English), TVA Sports (French)
In the Capitals region: NBCSWA
Elsewhere: NHL.tv/NHL GameCentre Live, NHL Centre Ice

Montréal Canadiens projected lineup

Forwards

Defencemen

Goaltenders

Washington Capitals projected lineup

Forwards

Defencemen

Goaltenders