Evans has five assists, 28 SOG and nine PIMs playing in all 29 of Montreal's games this season but will be a healthy scratch Thursday as Rem Pitlick draws back into the lineup.

Caufield left Monday's game vs. Calgary after just eight shifts and 8:05 TOI due to an upper-body injury but should return to the lineup Wednesday. The 21-year-old has been having a strong second full season, with 16 goals, 25 points, 96 SOG and a -3 plus/minus through 29 games so far this season.

Montembeault is coming off his worst start of the season where he allowed seven goals on 32 shots (.781 SV%) as he lost to Vancouver on Dec. 5th. The Canadiens' backup has otherwise been solid this season, posting a 5-2-2 record, 2.97 GAA and .908 SV%. He will face the Ottawa Senators, who have won their last two games and are sixth in the NHL in shots per game (33.9).

Carrier left the Predators' previous game vs. Ottawa after only 7:20 TOI and is now week-to-week with an upper-body injury. The 26-year-old has one goal, 26 SOG and eight PIMs through 23 games prior to the injury.

Kahkonen allowed five goals on 39 shots (.872 SV%) as he picked up his third loss in four starts in a loss to Ottawa. The Sharks' backup has struggled mightily this season, with a 3-6-2 record, 3.57 GAA and .882 SV%. He draws the Vancouver Canucks who are coming off the most exciting game yet with a 7-6 comeback victory over Montreal in their previous contest.

Gallagher will miss his third straight game with a lower-body injury on Monday and is expected to miss at least two weeks. Juraj Slafkovsky will continue to play a larger role while Gallagher is out.

Laine missed the last seven games with an ankle injury but will play Friday against the Jets. Laine has been in and out of the lineup this season, scoring just two goals and two assists (four points) in eight games.

Gallagher will need to be reevaluated after it was announced he would miss Thursday's game due to a lower-body injury. The 30-year-old has three goals, five assists and 51 SOG through his first 22 games prior to the injury.

Xhekaj missed Montreal's last game as a healthy scratch but will draw back into the lineup Thursday vs. Calgary. The rookie has had a strong start to his career, with three goals, three assists, 36 SOG and a league-leading 47 PIMs through 20 games prior to his scratching.

Laine has missed the Blue Jackets' previous seven games due to an ankle injury but is expected to return to the lineup Friday after he was activated from the injured reserve. The 24-year-old has two goals, two assists, 29 SOG and a -4 plus/minus through eight injury-riddled games so far this season.

Kahkonen allowed four goals on only 20 shots (.800 SV%) as he picked up his fourth loss in five starts vs. Vancouver his last time out. Kahkonen has been terrible as the Sharks' backup this season as shown by his .871 SV%, 3.81 GAA and 2-5-1 record. He will take on the Montreal Canadiens, who are on a two-game winning streak but rank 21st in the NHL in goals per game (2.95).

Xhekaj will head to the press box for the second time this season Tuesday as Montreal takes on San Jose. The rookie has had a strong start to his career, with three goals, three assists, 36 SOG and a league-leading 47 PIMs through 20 games prior to his scratching.