With 16 games left on the schedule, the Habs find themselves in a no-man’s land between now and the end of the season. It’s been a disappointment, to say the least, rife with injuries and a plague of not being able to score goals, turnovers, inconsistent defense.
Despite the fact the season is all but lost, there are still some bright spots emerging from the murk of the 2015-16 season, including the emergence of Greg Pateryn who is proving himself to be a stable blue-liner since being given an opportunity to play a long stretch of games – 11 in a row since February 12. Sven Andrighetto is also showing signs of evolution, stepping onto the first line with Brendan Gallagher injured. Also, the play of Alex Galchenyuk of late has the potential to convince his coaches as well as himself that he’s capable of centering this team’s top line in the future.
The Dallas Stars are coming into Montreal with two wins in a row under their belt, after going on a major spiral that saw them go 1-5-1 and allow 33 goals. With two good wins Friday and Sunday (4-2 vs. NJD, 2-1 @OTT), the Stars are still finding their way back on track, and with star puck-moving defenseman John Klingberg out of the lineup for his second game in a row after sustaining a lower body injury on Friday, nothing is guaranteed for the Central Division’s top team (tied with Chicago with 87 points) even at this late stage of the season.
Lineup notes: Ben Scrivens gets the start after Mike Condon was unable to get the win Saturday against the Jets; with Brendan Gallagher sidelined with a lower body injury, Sven Andrighetto will continue to play on the top line in his place after a strong performance Saturday carrying first line duties; Alex Galchenyuk will play tonight despite missing practice yesterday; Lars Eller remains a game-time decision will not play tonight due to a lower body injury meaning Lucas Lessio draws in; with Morgan Ellis sent back to St. John’s, Victor Bartley will draw into the lineup.
The puck drops at 7:30 PM EST.
How To Watch:
In Canada (French): RDS
In Canada (English): Sportsnet East
In the Stars’ Region: FS-SW
Elsewhere: NHL GameCenter, NHL Center Ice, NHL.TV
| Left Wing |
Center |
Right Wing |
| Max Pacioretty | Alex Galchenyuk | Sven Andrighetto |
| Stefan Matteau | Tomas Plekanec | Paul Byron |
| Jacob de la Rose | Michael McCarron | Torrey Mitchell |
| Lucas Lessio | Philip Danault | Mike Brown |
| Left Defense |
Right Defense |
| Andrei Markov | P.K. Subban |
| Alexei Emelin | Greg Pateryn |
| Victor Bartley | Mark Barberio |
| Goaltenders |
| Ben Scrivens |
| Mike Condon |
Injuries: Carey Price (lower body), Daniel Carr (lower body), Jeff Petry (lower body), Brian Flynn (lower body), David Desharnais (broken foot), Tom Gilbert (lower body), Nathan Beaulieu (lower body), Brendan Gallagher (lower body)
| Left Wing |
Center |
Right Wing |
| Jamie Benn | Tyler Seguin | Patrick Eaves |
| Mattias Janmark | Jason Spezza | Valeri Nichushkin |
| Antoine Roussel | Cody Eakin | Alex Hemsky |
| Radek Faksa | Vernon Fiddler | Colton Sceviour |
| Left Defense |
Right Defense |
| Kris Russell | Alex Goligoski |
| Johnny Oduya | Jason Demers |
| Patrik Nemeth | Jamie Oleksiak |
| Goaltenders |
| Kari Lehtonen |
| Antti Niemi |
Scratched: Travis Moen, Brett Ritchie
Injuries: John Klingberg (lower body), Jordie Benn (lower boy), Patrick Sharp
Check out the enemy over at Defending Big D.
