Montembault has been a consistent bright spot on an up-and-down season for the Canadiens and will play his seventh game on Tuesday against the Calgary Flames. Montembault has put together a stellar .911 SV% in his last five appearances, allowing only 13 goals in his last five appearances (2-1-1). The Canadiens are +148 home underdogs but are playing a Flames team that has lost two straight (0-1-1) and ranks sixth-worst among goal production in the league (2.64 GF / GP).
Laine has missed the last nine games after getting hurt on a hit by Rasmus Andersson. To make room for Laine, who will skate on a line with Boone Jenner and Johnny Gaudreau, the Blue Jackets sent David Jiricek back to the AHL.
Primeau will start for the second time this season, his first game action since October 24th, a 5-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils, where he allowed four goals on 33 shots (.879 SV%). The Canadiens have held three goalies for the majority of the season but have mostly opted for the duties of Samuel Montembault and Jake Allen. Primeau and the Canadiens are +153 road underdogs on Thursday against a Detroit Red Wings team that has lost five of their last seven (2-4-1).
Harvey-Pinard appears to be inching closer to a return but will remain out of the Canadiens' lineup on Tuesday. Harvey-Pinard hasn't played since leaving Thursday's contest against the Arizona Coyotes with a lower-body injury after just six shifts and 5:06 TOI. The 24-year-old has yet to score this season but has four assists, nine SOG, and two PIMs in 10 games played before his injury.
Harvey-Pinard left Montreal's game vs. Arizona Thursday with a lower-body injury after just six shifts and 5:06 TOI and is now considered day-to-day and will not play Saturday vs. St Louis. The 24-year-old has yet to score this season but has four assists, nine SOG, and two PIMs in 10 games played prior to his injury.
Pezzetta was a healthy scratch for the Canadiens' previous game but will draw back into the lineup Saturday St. Louis. The 25-year-old grinder has an assist, six SOG, and 10 PIMs in seven games so far this season and will replace Jesse Ylonen in Montreal's lineup.
Dvorak missed the Canadiens' first 10 games due to a knee injury but will make his debut Saturday vs. St. Louis. The 27-year-old will be welcomed back to Montreal's lineup as he enters his eighth NHL season after posting 10 goals, 18 assists, 88 SOG, six PIMs and a -12 plus/minus in 64 games in 2022-23.
Montembeault will return to the Canadiens' crease after backing up Jake Allen last game and will hope to get them back in the win column after two-straight one-goal loses. The 27-year-old has been decent so far in 2023-24, with his 2-1-1 record, .905 SV% and 2.91 GAA. He takes on the struggling St. Louis Blues, who have lost two straight and rank last in the NHL in shots per game (25.1) and second last in goals per game (1.75).
Harvey-Pinard left Montreal's game vs. Arizona Thursday with a lower-body injury after just six shifts and 5:06 TOI and is now considered day-to-day. The 24-year-old has yet to score this season but has four assists, nine SOG, and two PIMs in 10 games played prior to his injury.
Harvey-Pinard played only 5:06 before needing to leave the game with an undisclosed injury. Entering Thursday night's game, Harvey-Pinard was averaging 14:23 time-on-ice and had four points (0G / 4A) in nine games. Alex Newhook jumped onto the top line to replace Harvey-Pinard after his exit.
Pezzetta has one point (0G / 1A) in seven games with the Canadiens this season while averaging 7:14 time-on-ice. He will sit in the press box as a healthy scratch on Thursday as the team welcomes Jesse Ylonen back into the lineup.