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

Following their last pre-season game against the New Jersey Devils, Montreal now focuses their attention on the Ottawa Senators, who are coming off back-to-back victories against the Toronto Maple Leafs earlier this week.

Montreal is fielding a roster mostly comprised of players on the outside looking in, varying from a high-end prospect, Charles Hudon, who has a good chance of making the team, to players who will likely report to the Laval Rocket like Jacob de la Rose and Chris Terry.

Montreal’s top line tonight will be one we may see as the third line to start the season, but the trio of Hudon, Tomas Plekanec, and Artturi Lehkonen has been effective in every pre-season game they’ve played together.

Defensively, the pairing of Karl Alzner and Jordie Benn will be interesting to watch tonight to see how their styles complement one another. It could become a viable pairing come October 5.

Joe Morrow and Brandon Davidson will make up the second defensive pairing, and both of them are attempting to be the team’s sixth or seventh defenceman this season.

Ottawa is coming off a win using a roster similar to Montreal’s tonight, mostly utilizing AHL forwards and rookies looking to claim a spot. After making a substantial cut of 22 players, the Sens’ lineup will include more NHL-ready players on Saturday.

The Senators will be without top defenceman Erik Karlsson, who was reported to be out for several months, but was on the ice today in a no-contact jersey as he takes his first steps to getting into game shape. Top defensive prospect Thomas Chabot should make the captain’s absence easier to handle, as he is almost a sure bet to make the team.

How to watch

Puck drop: 7:00 PM EDT / 4:00 PM PDT
In the Canadiens region: RDS
In the Senators region: TSN5, TSN Go
Elsewhere: NHLtv

Montreal Canadiens projected lineup

Forwards

Defencemen

Goaltenders

Ottawa Senators projected lineup

Forwards

Defence

Goaltenders