With mega prospect Ivan Demidov making his NHL debut vs. Chicago on Monday, Michael Pezzetta finds himself the odd-man out of Montreal's lineup. The 27-year-old bruising winger has failed to put up a point in 25 games played this season, but has 24 PIMs and a -2 plus/minus while averaging just 5:56 TOI/GP.
Montreal returned to practice on Tuesday from their Four Nations break without forward Michael Pezzetta after it was announced he was day-to-day with a lower-body injury. The 26-year-old has yet to record a point in 14 games played this season, while picking up a -4 plus/minus and 10 PIMs.
Pezzetta will be the odd-man out on Tuesday, drawing out in favour of Owen Beck. Pezzetta is yet to register a point in 14 games this season.
Rafael Harvey-Pinard is expected to make his season debut with the Canadiens on Thursday, resulting in Pezzetta being a healthy scratch. The 26-year-old Pezzetta is averaging 5:35 time-on-ice and has zero points through 13 games this season.
Emil Heineman will be out of the lineup four three-to-four weeks with an upper-body injury, allowing Pezzetta to re-enter the lineup. The 26-year-old Pezzetta has been limited to seven games this season, averaging 6:25 time-on-ice and scoring zero points.
Pezzetta will fill in for Patrik Laine, who was a surprise scratch due to an illness. Pezzetta has appeared in three games this season for the Habs and is yet to register a point.
Pezzetta being a healthy scratch on Tuesday likely indicates that Juraj Slafkovsky (shoulder) will make his return to the lineup from a three-game absence. The 26-year-old Pezzetta has zero point in three games with the Canadiens this season.
With Juraj Slafkovsky (upper body) out for at least a week, Pezzetta will make his season debut on Tuesday against the New York Rangers. The 26-year-old Pezzetta was a regular in the lineup for the Canadiens last season, tallying 12 points (3G / 9A) in 61 games.
Tanner Pearson will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday, allowing Pezzetta to re-enter the lineup. Pezzetta has only suited up twice in the last month, averaging fewer than seven minutes of ice time.
Colin White will draw into the lineup for the Canadiens on Thursday in favour of Pezzetta, who will be a healthy scratch. Pezzetta played the last two games, averaging under seven minutes per night while recording one shot and 11 hits.
Jesse Ylönen will draw back into the lineup on Wednesday, resulting in Pezzetta being a healthy scratch. Pezzetta has played in 22 straight games for the Canadiens, tallying seven points (1G / 6A) in the process.
Emil Heineman will make his NHL debut on Thursday as Pezzetta will watch from the press box as a healthy scratch. Pezzetta had played four straight games for the Canadiens, recording one point (0G / 1A), three shots, and 15 hits.
