Montreal Canadiens vs. Vegas Golden Knights
How to watch
Puck drop: 7:00 PM EST / 4:00 PM PST
In the Canadiens region: Sportsnet, Sportsnet Now (English), TVAS (French)
In the Golden Knights region: ATTSN-RM
Elsewhere: NHL.tv/Rogers NHL Live
Max is back. And no, I’m not referring to surging Canadiens forward Max Domi, I’m referring to former Habs winger Max Pacioretty, who after 10 seasons playing for the red, white and blue, returns to Montreal as a visitor for the first time in his career.
The transition for Pacioretty hasn’t been an easy one, notching only a couple of goals in 12 games thus far this season for the Vegas in this season. When he was traded back in the early hours of September 10, the price was a hefty one for Golden Knights general manger George McPhee. He sent over Slovak forward Tomas Tatar, prospect Nick Suzuki and a second-round pick in 2019.
The return of Tatar, who split last season between Vegas and the Detroit Red Wings, had 20 goals and 34 points through all 82 games last season, whereas currently this season with Montreal, the 27-year-old has six goals and 14 points through the team’s first 19 games.
The Canadiens (8-5-3) have had a bit of a roller coaster this season, dropping their last two games, despite scoring eight goals. Their last contest on Thursday evening saw them put up a five-spot against the Buffalo Sabres, but it wasn’t enough as a goal by Finnish defender Rasmus Ristolainen got past all-star goaltender Carey Price.
Price (5-4-3) has been 1-3-1 in his last five games, while also giving up 22 goals in the process. Head coach Claude Julien will give the Olympian the night off versus Vegas, rather opting to go with backup goaltender Antti Niemi (3-1) between the pipes on Saturday night.
One of the bright spots for the Canadiens this season has been the play of Domi. After a very disappointing season last year in the desert, he potted only nine goals (four of which were empty netters). This season alone, he has already matched his total input for goals, and has been only held off the scoresheet three times through the first quarter of the season.
The Golden Knights (7-8-1) have split this week’s games, dropping a 3-1 decision against Toronto on Tuesday, and winning 5-3 against the Ottawa Senators on Thursday.
Their Cinderella story may have just been that, as they currently sit 13th in the Western Conference, a year removed from making it all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals.
Leading the way for them this season in goals (seven) and points (14) is centre Jonathan Marschessault, who last year racked up 27 goals and a career-high 75 points.
Montreal Canadiens projected lineup
Forwards
| Left Wing | Centre | Right Wing |
|---|---|---|
| Tomas Tatar | Phillip Danault | Brendan Gallagher |
| Jonathan Drouin | Max Domi | Andrew Shaw |
| Kenny Agostino | Jesperi Kotkaniemi | Artturi Lehkonen |
| Nicolas Deslauriers | Matthew Peca | Charles Hudon |
Defensemen
| Left Defence | Right Defence |
|---|---|
| Jordie Benn | Jeff Petry |
| Mikey Reilly | Karl Alzner |
| David Schlemko | Victor Mete |
Goaltenders
| Goaltenders |
|---|
| Antti Niemi |
| Carey Price |
Vegas Golden Knights projected lineup
Forwards
| Left Wing | Centre | Right Wing |
|---|---|---|
| Jonathan Marschessault | William Karlsson | Reilly Smith |
| Max Pacioretty | Cody Eakin | Alex Tuch |
| Tomas Nosek | Ryan Carpenter | Tomas Hyka |
| Will Carrier | Pierre-Edouard Bellemare | Ryan Reaves |
Defensemen
| Left Defence | Right Defence |
|---|---|
| Brayden McNabb | Colin Miller |
| Shea Theodore | Nick Holden |
| Jon Merrill | Brad Hunt |
Goaltenders
| Goaltenders |
|---|
| Marc-Andre Fleury |
| Malcolm Subban |
