Laine has missed the last nine games after getting hurt on a hit by Rasmus Andersson. To make room for Laine, who will skate on a line with Boone Jenner and Johnny Gaudreau, the Blue Jackets sent David Jiricek back to the AHL.

Kahkonen has become the clear second-choice in San Jose, slated to start for only the second time in the teams' last seven games. Without a win (0-4-0) and a ghastly 4.30 GAA and .876 SV%, Kahkonen's outlook is not promising as the San Jose Sharks, playing the back end of a back-to-back, visit the Western-Conference leading Vegas Golden Knights. The last-place Sharks are currently on a two-game winning streak but, even so, are ginormous +426 road underdogs against the Golden Knights.

Montembeault will return to the Canadiens' crease after backing up Jake Allen last game and will hope to get them back in the win column after two-straight one-goal loses. The 27-year-old has been decent so far in 2023-24, with his 2-1-1 record, .905 SV% and 2.91 GAA. He takes on the struggling St. Louis Blues, who have lost two straight and rank last in the NHL in shots per game (25.1) and second last in goals per game (1.75).

Kahkonen missed practice Friday due to an undisclosed injury and will be a game-time decision Saturday vs. Pittsburgh. The 27-year-old is coming off a horrific fourth-straight loss Thursday, where he was pulled after allowing six goals on 19 shots (.684 SV%). He has struggled this season with his 0-4-0 record, .876 SV%, and 4.30 GAA in five games played in 2023-24 and will likely have to be replaced by a goaltender on the San Jose Barracuda (AHL) if he is unable to go.

Kahkonen stopped 37 of 40 shots against (.925 SV%) in his previous start vs. Carolina but picked up his third-straight loss of the season and will take the crease again Thursday vs. Vancouver. The 27-year-old has been decent despite no offensive help with his 0-3-0 record, .907 SV%, and 3.16 GAA. He will try to get San Jose into the win column for the first time this season (0-8-1) as they take on Vancouver, who is third in the NHL in goals per game (4.0).

Matheson left the Canadiens' previous game vs. Winnipeg after 16:15 TOI due to a lower-body injury and was a game-time decision on Monday vs. Vegas after practicing earlier in the day. The 29-year-old veteran defenseman is having a strong start to 2023-24 as he has two goals, four assists, 22 SOG, six PIMs and a -1 plus/minus in eight games.

Matheson left the Canadiens' previous game vs. Winnipeg after 16:15 TOI due to a lower-body injury and will be a game-time decision on Monday vs. Vegas after practicing earlier in the day. The 29-year-old veteran defenseman is having a strong start to 2023-24 as he has two goals, four assists, 22 SOG, six PIMs and a -1 plus/minus in eight games.

Montembeault stopped 33 of 36 shots (.917 SV%) for his second victory of the season as he beat Columbus in his previous start. The 27-year-old World Championship winner is 2-1-0 so far in 2023-24, with a .901 SV% and 3.29 GAA. He will take on the surging Vegas Golden Knights, who had an eight-game winning streak snapped with an overtime loss last game and are sixth in the NHL in goals per game (3.67).

Del Gazio has an assist and two PIMs in five games with Milwaukee (AHL) in 2023-24 so far and has earned his first career call-up to Nashville on Monday. The 24-year-old defenseman was the Predators' 2019 fourth-round pick (109th overall) and has played four seasons in the AHL prior to his promotion.

Kahkonen will man the crease on Friday and attempt to stop the bleeding on a dreadful start to the 2023-24 campaign for the Sharks. Last night, with Mackenzie Blackwood in the net, the Sharks were blown out 6-0 by the Tampa Bay Lightning. Blackwood has seen action more consistently to start the season for the Sharks, but their 0-6-1 record indicates they don't have much chance regardless of who is in between the pipes. The Sharks are averaging an embarrassing league-worst 1.14 goals scored per game and as a result, are +357 road underdogs against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Guhle appears to be nearing a return but is still expected to be unavailable for the Canadiens Thursday night matchup against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Guhle has one assist, a +4 plus/minus rating, and seven shots while averaging 15:35 time-on-ice through three games this season.

Montembault will start in goal for the first time since October 17th, an outing where he allowed five goals on 35 shots in a 5-2 loss to the Minnesota Wild. The Canadiens have had some inconsistent results this season but have still salvaged a 3-2-1 record despite being outscored 20-18. The Canadiens are -112 home favourites against a Columbus Blue Jackets team that has had similar results this season, showcasing an identical 3-2-1 record while being outscored 19-17.

Montembault is expected to start for the first time since October 17th, an outing where he allowed five goals on 35 shots in a 5-2 loss to the Minnesota Wild. The Canadiens have had some inconsistent results this season but have still salvaged a 3-2-1 record despite being outscored 20-18. The Canadiens are -112 home favourites against a Columbus Blue Jackets team that has had similar results this season, showcasing an identical 3-2-1 record while being outscored 19-17.

Laine was the target of Rasmus Andersson's high hit which led to a four-game suspension and has now been placed on the injured reserve with an upper-body injury. The 25-year-old has not played more than 56 games in a single season since 2019-20 and had a goal and an assist through four games thus far in 2023-24.

Laine took a late elbow to the head from Calgary's Rasmus Andersson in their 3-1 win Friday and will not travel with the team as they go to Minnesota on Saturday. The 25-year-old has had his career decimated by injuries as he not played more than 68 games in a season since 2018-19. Laine is considered day-to-day but will be continued to be evaluated.