Game 18: Montreal Canadiens @ Boston Bruins
How to watch
Start time: 7:00 PM EST / 4:00 PM PST
In Canada: CBC, Sportsnet E/O/P (English), TVA Sports (French)
In the Bruins region: NESN
Streaming: ESPN+, CBC Gem, Sportsnet+
When the Canadiens and Bruins met last weekend, the game began with a conservative approach from both clubs as neither side wanted to be the one to make the first mistake. The shots were just 6-6 after the opening period of a game that eventually ended 3-2 in overtime.
We probably won’t see the same strategy tonight now that both clubs know what to expect from their opponent. The Bruins, who have played just once, on Wednesday, since last Saturday’s game, will want to take advantage of Montreal’s fatigue early, aiming to get out to a lead and make a win that much more difficult for the Canadiens.
A change has been made on defence from Thursday’s loss to the Vegas Golden Knights, once again made necessary by injury. Arber Xhekaj is out after an awkward hit in that contest, but Jordan Harris, who had been dealing with a minor issue of his own, steps back in in his place. Jake Allen has been tapped by Martin St-Louis to face the Bruins after Samuel Montembeault earned the win a week ago, and Allen is looking to snap a personal three-game losing streak with his first win of the month of November.
Montreal Canadiens projected lineup
| Left Wing |
Centre |
Right Wing |
| #35 Alex Newhook |
#14 Nick Suzuki |
#22 Cole Caufield |
| #20 Juraj Slafkovský |
#91 Sean Monahan |
#56 Jesse Ylönen |
| #17 Josh Anderson |
#28 Christian Dvorak |
#11 Brendan Gallagher |
| #70 Tanner Pearson |
#71 Jake Evans |
#55 Michael Pezzetta |
| Left Defence |
Right Defence |
| #21 Kaiden Guhle |
#26 Johnny Kovacevic |
| #8 Mike Matheson |
#52 Justin Barron |
| $54 Jordan Harris |
#27 Gustav Lindström |
| Starter |
Backup |
| #34 Jake Allen |
#35 Samuel Montembeault |
Injured: Kirby Dach, Rafaël Harvey-Pinard, David Savard, Chris Wideman, Arber Xhekaj
Scratched: Cayden Primeau
Boston Bruins projected lineup
| Left Wing |
Centre |
Right Wing |
| Brad Marchand |
Pavel Zacha |
David Pastrnak |
| James van Riemsdyk |
Charlie Coyle |
Trent Frederic |
| Danton Heinen |
Matthew Poitras |
Jake DeBrusk |
| Jakub Lauko |
John Beecher |
Oskar Steen |
| Left Defence |
Right Defence |
| Mason Lohrei |
Charlie McAvoy |
| Hampus Lindholm |
Brandon Carlo |
| Derek Forbort |
Kevin Shattenkirk |
| Starter |
Backup |
| Jeremy Swayman |
Linus Ullmark |
