The Montreal Canadiens seem to have already made their decision regarding Jesperi Kotkaniemi as he is going to sit out the team’s final pre-season game Saturday against the Ottawa Senators.
Voici l’alignement pour le match de ce soir contre les Sénateurs d’Ottawa.
The lineup for tonight’s game against the Ottawa Senators. #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/U65vd0gXQK
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) September 29, 2018
It is the final opportunity to impress for many of the players in the lineup including Michael Chaput, Kenny Agostino, Jacob de la Rose, Nikita Scherbak, Xavier Ouellet, Simon Despres, and Jordie Benn.
Matthew Peca returns to the lineup after suffering a minor groin injury. The Canadiens are also going heavy on their top lines as Tomas Tatar, Jonathan Drouin, Phillip Danault, Jeff Petry, and Paul Byron are all in the lineup.
Note that one forward and one defender from the above list will not play.
Update: It appears Victor Mete and Artturi Lehkonen will not play tonight.
La formation du #CH ce soir :
Tatar-Danault-Hudon
Byron-Drouin-Armia
Agostino-Peca-Scherbak
De La Rose-Plekanec-ChaputBenn-Petry
Ouellet-Juulsen
Alzner-DesprésPrice
NiemiLehkonen et Mete, inscrits sur la liste, seront laissés de côté ce soir.#RDS
— Patrick Friolet (@PFrioletRDS) September 29, 2018
Carey Price and Antti Niemi will be dressed for this one, as Charlie Lindgren looks like he will need to get set to head to Laval Rocket training camp.
It will be interesting to see who gets opportunities in Brendan Gallagher’s spot tonight and that could go a long way to seeing who makes the final roster.
We will have a full game thread later today.
