The Canadiens have struggled to keep the puck out of their net lately. Coincidently, their only win in the last six games is the only time they've allowed fewer than three goals and the only time Primeau has played in that span, a 13-save shutout in a 5-0 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on February 14th. The Canadiens enter action as sizeable +224 road underdogs against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday night.
Urho Vaakanainen will replace Lindstrom, who will be a healthy scratch for the third time in the last seven games. Lindstrom has five points (3G / 2A), 20 hits, and 32 blocks in 23 games this season.
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.
After an otherwise impressive season, Montembeault has struggled lately and has been limited to only one start in the last four games for the Canadiens. The 27-year-old Montembeault has allowed a disastrous seven or more goals in two of his last five outings (2-3-0), including seven goals allowed on 31 shots (.774 SV%) in his last contest, a 7-4 loss to the New York Rangers. The Canadiens enter action as +122 home underdogs against a Buffalo Sabres club coming off a 4-3 loss to the Anaheim Ducks.
Barre-Boulet has been a healthy scratch most of the season for Tampa Bay but has suddenly drawn into the lineup in four of the last seven games. In his last outing, Barre-Boulet played 5:28 time-on-ice and recorded one shot on goal.
Lindstrom will draw into the lineup in place of Jackson Lacombe, who is listed as a scratch on Thursday. Lindstrom will skate alongside Cam Fowler on the team's first defensive pair.
Barre-Boulet has been a healthy scratch for the Lightning most of this season but will draw into the lineup for the second time in the past three games on Thursday night. In his last outing, Barre-Boulet played 11:50 time-on-ice, registering one hit.
Gallagher was handed a match penalty for an illegal check to the head of New York's Adama Pelech on January 25th and was suspended for five games. The 31-year-old's frustration boiled over as he is in the midst of another disappointing season with only eight goals, eight assists 103 SOG, 47 PIMs and a -21 plus/minus in 48 games played this season.
Despite Cayden Primeau posting a shutout in a 5-0 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday, snapping a two-game losing skid, the Canadiens will turn back to Montembeault between the pipes on Thursday night. Montembeault played well in his last outing, saving 35 of 38 shots (.921 SV%), but came up short as the Canadiens fell 3-2 to the Dallas Stars. The 27-year-old Montembeault has held the opposition to three or fewer goals in his last three games (2-1-0), posting a stellar .935 SV%.
Guhle suffered an undisclosed injury in Sunday's 7-2 loss to the St. Louis Blues but seems no worse for wear, and will remain in the lineup on Tuesday. Guhle has 12 points (4G / 8A), 76 hits, and 134 blocks in 48 games this season.
Jordan Harris will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday, allowing Xhekaj to re-enter the lineup. Xhekaj played 13:53 time-on-ice in his last outing, recording a -2 plus/minus, two shots, and two hits.
Montreal has been outscored 10-4 over their last two games (0-2-0) and will attempt to change their fortunes with Primeau between the pipes on Tuesday night. Primeau is winless in his last four outings and allowed five goals on 36 shots (.861 SV%) in his last start nearly four weeks ago. That said, the Canadiens draw a favourable matchup on Tuesday and are -117 home favourites against the Anaheim Ducks and their third-worst ranked offence (2.57 GF / GP).
Montreal has been outscored 10-4 over their last two games (0-2-0) and will attempt to change their fortunes with Primeau between the pipes on Tuesday night. Primeau is winless in his last four outings and allowed five goals on 36 shots (.861 SV%) in his last start nearly four weeks ago. That said, the Canadiens draw a favourable matchup on Tuesday and are -117 home favourites against the Anaheim Ducks and their third-worst ranked offence (2.57 GF / GP).
