With Mackenzie Blackwood sidelined for the next one to two weeks due to an injury, Kahkonen will be a mainstay between the pipes for the Sharks. Kahkonen had a forgettable performance on Tuesday, entering the game in relief of Mackenzie Blackwood, allowing seven goals on 31 shots (.774 SV%) in a 7-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils. The Sharks are +113 home underdogs against the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday.

Monteumbeault tended the twine on Tuesday when the Canadiens snapped their five-game losing skid with a 4-2 victory over the Arizona Coyotes. The 27-year-old Montembeault was tremendous, saving 36 of 38 shots (.947 SV%) for his first victory in his last four outings (1-3-0). The Canadiens will be hard-pressed to continue their winning ways on Thursday when they visit a Florida Panthers team that defeated them 4-1 in their last meeting two months ago.

The Canadiens are riding a five-game losing skid and will look for Montembeault to help them re-enter the win column on Tuesday. Montembeault has allowed three or more goals in five of his last six (2-4-0), including allowing more than seven in two contests. That said, Montembeault and the Canadiens will be facing an Arizona Coyotes club amid a miserable 12-game losing streak.

The Shark returns to action from a five-day absence on Saturday and will turn to Kahkonen between the pipes. Kahkonen last played last Saturday and allowed four goals on 37 shots, including a goal in the final minute, in a 4-3 regulation loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Sharks will face off against Nashville Predators club riding a three-game winning streak.

Bolduc was recalled on Tuesday and is expected to make his NHL debut on Thursday against the New York Islanders. The 20-year-old Bolduc was drafted 17th overall by the Blues in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. Bolduc has 23 points (8G / 15A) in 48 games with the Springfield Thunderbirds (AHL) this season.

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.

Bolduc was recalled on Tuesday and is expected to make his NHL debut on Thursday against the New York Islanders. The 20-year-old Bolduc was drafted 17th overall by the Blues in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. Bolduc has 23 points (8G / 15A) in 48 games with the Springfield Thunderbirds (AHL) this season.

The New York Rangers will continue to dip into their wealth of minor talent as they called up their eighth forward of the season from Hartford (AHL) in Alex Belzile on Wednesday. The 32-year-old winger last appeared in the NHL in 2022-23 with Montreal where he had 14 points (6G/8A) in 31 games. He will serve as a 13th forward for the time being for the Rangers.

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%.

Kahkonen will tend the twine on Wednesday when the Sharks play their first game in two weeks. The 27-year-old Kahkonen played well in the Sharks last contest on January 31st, allowing three goals on 34 shots (.912 SV%) in a 3-2 losing effort in overtime. The low-scoring Sharks (2.08 GF / GP) will be without leading scorer Tomas Hertl (knee) for the foreseeable future, adding to their scoring woes. The Sharks are significant +374 road underdogs against the Winnipeg Jets on Wednesday night.

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.