Montembeault's last start was interesting; he started, was pulled, and then returned to the crease while failing to pick up a decision in a 9-5 loss to Florida while stopping 21 of 24 shots (.875 SV%). The 26-year-old has been the better of the two Montreal netminders this season, with his 13-13-3 record, 3.34 GAA and .904 SV%. He will face Tampa Bay, who has won their last two games and are seventh in the NHL in goals-per-game.

Montembeault stopped 39 of 43 shots (.907 SV%) to snap a three-game losing streak as he beat Pittsburgh in his previous start. The 26-year-old has been the better of the two Canadien goalies this season, with his 13-13-3 record, 3.31 GAA and .905 SV%. He will take on the Florida Panthers, who snapped a three-game winning streak with a 5-4 overtime loss to Winnipeg last game.

Dvorak had 10 goals, 18 assists, 88 SOG, and a -12 plus/minus through 64 games played but will miss the remained of the 2022-23 season after undergoing knee surgery Wednesday. The 27-year-old finishes with his lowest goal and point totals in a season where he played more than 20 games in his seven-year career.

Montembeault stopped 16 of 18 shots (.889 SV%) in a relief appearance in his last game, picking up the no-decision as he attempted to stop the bleeding against the Colorado Avalanche. The 26-year-old Canadiens backup has been the better of the two goalies in Montreal, with his 12-13-3 record, .905 SV% and 3.28 GAA. He will face the Pittsburgh Penguins, who have won seven of their last nine games and are fifth in the NHL in shots per game (33.9).

Guhle has missed the Canadiens' previous two games due to an upper-body injury but will return to the lineup Thursday as they take on the New York Rangers. The 21-year-old has been solid when healthy this season, with three goals, 12 assists, 42 SOG and a -14 plus/minus through 39 games played this season.

Dvorak has 10 goals, 18 assists, 88 SOG, six PIMs and a -12 plus/minus through 64 games this season but will be forced to miss his first game of the year Thursday due to a lower-body injury.

Montembeault allowed three goals on 33 shots (.909 SV%) for his second-straight loss as Anaheim defeated him in his previous start. The 26-year-old Canadiens' backup has been their better of the two goalies, even though he has a 12-13-2 record and 3.30 GAA and .905 SV% stat line. He takes on the struggling New York Rangers, who have lost six of their last eight games after a 4-2 loss to Boston last game.

Sund currently plays for Rogle BK Angelholm in the SHL. The 27-year-old defenseman has one goal and eight assists in 40 games this season.

Allard has two goals, five assists, and 30 PIMs across 35 games played with the Ontario Reign (AHL) and has been traded Friday for Nate Schnarr. The 25-year-old defenseman has previously played in one NHL game in 2020-21 with Nashville, failing to pick up a point and being a -2 plus/minus.

Originally a third-round pick by the Coyotes in the 2017 draft, Schnarr has spent the last four seasons in the AHL, making stops in Tuscon, Binghamton, and Utica before joining the Canadiens organization prior to the 2021-22 season. He registered three goals and four assists in 27 games with Laval (AHL) this season.

Simoneau has five goals, 23 assists, 39 PIMs and a -6 plus/minus through 44 games with Laval (AHL) this season and has signed a two-year, entry-level contract Wednesday. The 21-year-old was drafted in the 6th round of the 2021 draft (191 overall).