Xhekaj has played the last three games but will return to being a healthy scratch on Thursday against the Washington Capitals. Through eight games this season, Xhekaj has seven blocks and 16 hits but an ugly -6 plus/minus.
Guhle has not played since October 17th, missing five games due to an upper-body injury, but will draw back into the lineup on Thursday. The 22-year-old defender was off to an excellent start to the season before his injury, scoring four points (1G / 3A) in five games.
Del Gaizo has played three games with the Predators this season, splitting time with the Milwaukee Admirals (AHL). The 25-year-old has predominantly played in the AHL since being drafted in the fourth-round by the Predators in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, including a 34 point campaign (8G / 26A) in 60 games with Milwaukee last season.
Guhle has missed five straight games due to an upper-body injury but is nearing a return to the Canadiens' lineup. The 22-year-old defenseman has had a strong start to the 2024-25 season, tallying four points (1G / 3A), 20 blocks, seven hits, and a +4 plus/minus rating in five games.
The 28-year-old Kahkonen had a poor 2023-24 campaign split between the San Jose Sharks and New Jersey Devils, posting a 3.64 GAA and .898 SV%, but, with the ongoing struggles of Alexandar Georgiev, gets the opportunity to play on Wednesday night against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 28-year-old Kahkonen was solid in a two-game conditioning stint with the Colorado Eagles (AHL), posting a 2.57 GAA and .919 SV% despite losing both contests. Colorado enters the action on Wednesday as a slight -106 home favorite against Tampa Bay.
The 28-year-old Kahkonen had a poor 2023-24 campaign split between the San Jose Sharks and New Jersey Devils, posting a 3.64 GAA and .898 SV%, but could get an opportunity at the crease in Colorado as Alexandar Georgiev has been unable to provide consistent efforts. The 28-year-old Kahkonen was solid in a two-game stint with the Eagles (AHL), posting a 2.57 GAA and .919 SV% despite losing both contests.
After a 4-3 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday with Cayden Primeau in net, the Canadiens will return to the services of Montembeault between the pipes. After a three-game stretch where he allowed three or more goals in each contest (0-3-0), posting an ugly .829 SV%, Montembeault was stellar in his last contest, saving 29 of 31 shots (.935 SV%) in a 5-2 win over the St. Louis Blues. The Canadiens enter the action on Tuesday as +147 home underdogs against the Seattle Kraken.
Slafkovsky has missed the last three games due to a upper-body injury but was a full participant at the Canadiens' morning skate on Tuesday and could return to the lineup in the evening against the Seattle Kraken. The third-year Slovak forward was off to an impressive start this season, with six points (1G / 5A) in six games.
Del Gaizo has played three games with the Predators this season but will return to the Milwaukee Admirals (AHL). The 25-year-old has predominantly played in the AHL since being drafted in the fourth-round by the Predators in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, including a 34 point campaign (8G / 26A) in 60 games with Milwaukee last season.
After a two-game absence, Xhekaj will draw back into the Canadiens' lineup on Saturday against the St. Louis Blues. In five games this season, Xhekaj has zero points, a -4 plus/minus, and 10 hits.
On the front end of a back-to-back, the Canadiens will turn to Montembeault between the pipes for the fifth time in the last six games. After a fabulous start to the season, saving 72 of 73 shots (.986 SV%) in his first two contests (2-0-0), Montembeault has lost three straight (0-3-0), allowing three or more goals in each while posting an ugly .829 SV%. The Canadiens will host a St. Louis Blues club averaging 3.0 goals per game.
Kahkonen has not played a game in the AHL since the 2019-20 season. The 28-year-old Kahkonen had a poor 2023-24 campaign split between the San Jose Sharks and New Jersey Devils, posting a 3.64 GAA and .898 SV%, but could get an opportunity at the crease in Colorado if Georgiev and Annunen are unable to provide consistent efforts.
Alexey Toropchenko (lower body) will return to the lineup from a two-game absence, resulting in Bolduc being a healthy scratch. The 21-year-old Bolduc has two points (0G / 2A) in six games this season.
Slafkovsky has been battling a shoulder injury since last week. He was a game-time decision on Saturday but managed to play and recorded two points (0G / 2A), one shot, and four hits while playing 15:57 time-on-ice. This ongoing shoulder issue continues to be an impairment for Slafkovsky, who will be shut down for at least the next week before being reevaluated.
The Canadiens are riding a three-game losing skid (0-2-1), being outscored 14-7, and will attempt to return to the win column on Tuesday with Montembeault between the pipes. The 27-year-old Montembeault was sensational to start the 2024-25 season, saving 72 of 73 shots (.986 SV%) in his first two games (2-0-0), before losing his next two outings (0-2-0), falling drastically to a .867 SV% in those two games. The Canadiens will host a New York Rangers team that has yet to lose in regulation (4-0-1).
Slafkovsky has been battling a shoulder injury since last week. He was a game-time decision on Saturday but managed to play and recorded two points (0G / 2A), one shot, and four hits while playing 15:57 time-on-ice. This ongoing shoulder issue continues to be an impairment for Slafkovsky, whose status is uncertain for Tuesday's contest against the New York Rangers.
