Matheson left the Canadiens' previous game vs. Winnipeg after 16:15 TOI due to a lower-body injury and was a game-time decision on Monday vs. Vegas after practicing earlier in the day. The 29-year-old veteran defenseman is having a strong start to 2023-24 as he has two goals, four assists, 22 SOG, six PIMs and a -1 plus/minus in eight games.

Matheson left the Canadiens' previous game vs. Winnipeg after 16:15 TOI due to a lower-body injury and will be a game-time decision on Monday vs. Vegas after practicing earlier in the day. The 29-year-old veteran defenseman is having a strong start to 2023-24 as he has two goals, four assists, 22 SOG, six PIMs and a -1 plus/minus in eight games.

Montembeault stopped 33 of 36 shots (.917 SV%) for his second victory of the season as he beat Columbus in his previous start. The 27-year-old World Championship winner is 2-1-0 so far in 2023-24, with a .901 SV% and 3.29 GAA. He will take on the surging Vegas Golden Knights, who had an eight-game winning streak snapped with an overtime loss last game and are sixth in the NHL in goals per game (3.67).

After playing the last two games, where he was held without a point, Lindstrom will be a healthy scratch for the Canadiens on Saturday. In four games with the Laval Rocket (AHL), Lindstrom was also held without a point while accumulating two penalty minutes and a -6 plus/minus rating.

After clearing waivers, Armia started the season with the Laval Rocket of the AHL. In four games with the Rocket, Armia had five points (4G / 1A). He is expected to line up on the fourth line for the Canadiens with Jake Evans and Michael Pezzetta.

Guhle appears to be nearing a return but is still expected to be unavailable for the Canadiens Thursday night matchup against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Guhle has one assist, a +4 plus/minus rating, and seven shots while averaging 15:35 time-on-ice through three games this season.

Montembault will start in goal for the first time since October 17th, an outing where he allowed five goals on 35 shots in a 5-2 loss to the Minnesota Wild. The Canadiens have had some inconsistent results this season but have still salvaged a 3-2-1 record despite being outscored 20-18. The Canadiens are -112 home favourites against a Columbus Blue Jackets team that has had similar results this season, showcasing an identical 3-2-1 record while being outscored 19-17.

Montembault is expected to start for the first time since October 17th, an outing where he allowed five goals on 35 shots in a 5-2 loss to the Minnesota Wild. The Canadiens have had some inconsistent results this season but have still salvaged a 3-2-1 record despite being outscored 20-18. The Canadiens are -112 home favourites against a Columbus Blue Jackets team that has had similar results this season, showcasing an identical 3-2-1 record while being outscored 19-17.

Primeau has yet to appear in any of the Canadiens five games to start the season but will take the crease Tuesday at home vs. New Jersey. The 24-year-old was 0-2-0 with a .852 SV% and a 3.46 GAA in three games played in 2022-23 with Montreal. He draws the tough task of the New Jersey Devils, who won their last game 5-4 in overtime over NYI and are eighth in the NHL in goals for (3.75).

Savard will be out indefinitely after suffering an upper-body injury in the Canadiens' Monday night matchup against the Buffalo Sabres. Savard has two points (0G / 2A), four hits, and 14 blocks in five games this season. Gustav Lindstrom was recalled on an emergency basis and will be an option to replace Savard on defence.

Lindstrom was recalled by the Canadiens and could be an option to replace David Savard (upper-body) on Tuesday as they play the second half of a back-to-back. The 38th overall pick in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft played 36 games for the Detroit Red Wings last season, recording eight points (1G / 7A) in 36 games.

Laine was the target of Rasmus Andersson's high hit which led to a four-game suspension and has now been placed on the injured reserve with an upper-body injury. The 25-year-old has not played more than 56 games in a single season since 2019-20 and had a goal and an assist through four games thus far in 2023-24.

Laine took a late elbow to the head from Calgary's Rasmus Andersson in their 3-1 win Friday and will not travel with the team as they go to Minnesota on Saturday. The 25-year-old has had his career decimated by injuries as he not played more than 68 games in a season since 2018-19. Laine is considered day-to-day but will be continued to be evaluated.

Dach and the Montreal Canadiens' worst fears were realized as it was confirmed he will miss the remainder of the 2023-24 season with a torn ACL and MCL. Dach only had the opportunity to suit up twice this season, recording two points (0G / 2A), leaving before the completion of his second game. The 22-year-old has already battled a myriad of injuries in his young career. At least for the time being, newcomer Alex Newhook will presume the duties of second-line center for the Canadiens.

After a strong performance in his first game of the season, the Canadiens will turn to Montembault for his second consecutive start. Montembault is coming off a 28-save, 3-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks. Montembault quietly put up a respectable .901 SV% last season for a Canadiens squad that ranked fourth-worth defensively, giving up 3.72 goals per game. If Montembault can string together some more strong performances, he could be in line to take control of the starter's crease in Montreal. The Canadiens are +120 home underdogs against a Minnesota Wild team that is expected to be without Matt Boldy for the next several weeks.