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Montreal Canadiens News
Kahkonen will start Wednesday in Anaheim.

On the back end of a back-to-back, the Sharks will turn to Kahkonen after Mackenzie Blackwood had a 32-save shutout in the Sharks' 2-0 win over the Seattle Kraken last night. Kahkonen last played on January 27th, allowing four goals on 35 shots (.886 SV%) in a 5-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres. The Sharks are +162 road underdogs against a rested Ducks team with points in three straight (2-0-1).

Kaapo Kahkonen
Carrier (undisclosed) will be a game-time decision Wednesday vs. Los Angeles.

Carrier played only 8:01 time-on-ice before exiting Monday's game against the Ottawa Senators with an undisclosed injury. The 27-year-old defender has 44 hits and 92 blocks while averaging 18:09 time-on-ice through 46 games this season. Carrier will be a game-time decision on Wednesday, but don't be surprised if he can't play, as Tyson Barrie has already been confirmed to return to the Predators lineup.

Alexandre Carrier
Gallagher has been suspended five games for an illegal check to the head of Adam Pelech.

Gallagher was handed a match penalty for an illegal check to the head of New York's Adama Pelech and was suspended for five games Friday after having an over the phone hearing. 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.

Brendan Gallagher
Kahkonen will start Saturday vs. Buffalo.

The Sharks' goaltending revolving door will continue Saturday as Kaapo Kahkonen will get the start vs. Buffalo after backing up in San Jose's previous game. The 27-year-old has played very well despite the roster in front of him, which has led to an unfortunate 6-13-1 record, 3.56 GAA and .902 SV%. He'll take on the Sabres at home Saturday, who just snapped a two-game losing streak with a victory over Los Angeles last game and are 23rd in the NHL in goals per game (2.94).

Kaapo Kahkonen
Montembeault will start Thursday vs. the Islanders.

Montembault had the night off in the Canadiens' previous contest, getting a chance to regroup after a forgettable performance in his last outing. Montembault allowed eight goals on 30 shots (.733 SV%) in a 9-4 loss to the Boston Bruins on Saturday, far and away his worst performance in an otherwise serviceable 2023-24 campaign. The Canadiens have dropped three straight (0-3-0), being outscored 19-7, and are +132 home underdogs against the New York Islanders, who are 3-6-1 in their last 10.

Sam Montembeault
Montrembeault is expected to start Thursday vs. the Islanders.

Montembault had the night off in the Canadiens' previous contest, getting a chance to regroup after a forgettable performance in his last outing. Montembault allowed eight goals on 30 shots (.733 SV%) in a 9-4 loss to the Boston Bruins on Saturday, far and away his worst performance in an otherwise serviceable 2023-24 campaign. The Canadiens have dropped three straight (0-3-0), being outscored 19-7, and are +132 home underdogs against the New York Islanders, who are 3-6-1 in their last 10.

Sam Montembeault
Roy has been loaned to the Laval Rocket (AHL).

Roy made his NHL debut earlier this month and played six straight games, recording two points (1G / 1A). The 20-year-old was selected in the fifth round of the 2021 NHL draft and has excelled in his first year as a pro, picking up 30 points (12G / 18A) in his first 34 AHL games, good for second on the team.

Joshua Roy
Kahkonen will start in Los Angeles on Monday.

The Sharks will turn to back to Kahkonen on Monday after Mackenzie Blackwood got the call in each of their previous two games. Kahkonen allowed just two goals on 34 shots his last time out but was still saddled with the loss as the Sharks were shutout by the Sabres. He has lost seven straight decisions in regulation, despite posting an admirable .908 SV% over that span. He'll have a hard time breaking that streak on Monday with the Sharks being +310 underdogs against the Kings.

Kaapo Kahkonen
Xhekaj has been recalled from Laval (AHL).

Xhekaj spent just over two months with Laval (AHL) but has earned his call up back to Montreal after scoring three goals, 11 points, 34 PIMs and a +3 plus/minus in 17 games with the Rocket this season. The 22-year-old tough guy returns to the Canadiens, where he appeared in 17 games prior to being sent down and had a goal and two assists to go along with 47 PIMs.

Arber Xhekaj
Montembeault will start Wednesday in New Jersey.

Montembeault will start for the third straight game and for the sixth time in the last eight for the Canadiens on Wednesday. Montembeault was heroic in a losing effort on Saturday, nearly willing his team to victory over the high-octane Edmonton Oilers, saving 39 of 41 shots (.951 SV%) in a 2-1 loss. He has a 2-2-0 record in his last four, allowing three or fewer goals in each contest.

Sam Montembeault
Kahkonen will start Monday in Buffalo.

Kahkonen hasn't played since allowing four goals on 20 shots (.800 SV%) in a 7-1 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs last week, his only start in the last five for the Sharks. He will return to the crease on Monday afternoon as the Sharks are +228 road underdogs against a Buffalo Sabres team that was shutout 1-0 against the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday.

Kaapo Kahkonen