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.

Montembeault was excellent in his previous start, stopping 30 of 31 shots (.968 SV%) as he helped Montreal top Columbus. The Canadiens' backup has been strong all season, posting a 4-2-1 record with a .922 SV% and 2.57 GAA. He will take on the struggling Chicago Blackhawks who have lost five straight games.

Xhakaj was a healthy scratch Tuesday but will be back in Montreal's lineup Wednesday vs. Columbus. Through 18 games he has made a strong impact with two goals and three assists along with a league-leading 45 PIMs while averaging only 15:53 TOI

Montembeault allowed five goals on 28 shots (.821 SV%) losing his previous start vs. Columbus. The Canadiens' backup netminder has been solid with a 3-2-1 record, 2.83 GAA and .915 SV%. He takes on the Blue Jackets who beat Florida their last time out and have the 31st-best powerplay with their 14.0% conversion rate.

Kahkonen was incredible in his previous start stopping 37 of 38 shots (.974 SV%) in a win over Ottawa. He is filling in for an injured James Reimer but has struggled this season with his 2-4-1 record, 3.31 GAA and .894 SV%. He takes on the Seattle Kraken who have won their last two contests 3-2 in overtime after beating the Kings their last time out.

Xhekaj will head to the press box as a healthy scratch for the first time this season on Tuesday. Through 18 games he has made a strong impact with two goals and three assists along with a league-leading 45 PIMs while averaging only 15:53 TOI.

Kahkonen's last start was November 10th when he stopped 28 of 32 shots (.875 SV%) in a loss to the St. Louis Blues. The Sharks' backup has battled the puck all season, as shown by his 1-4-1 record, .878 SV% and 3.70 GAA. He takes on the Ottawa Senators who have only won two of their last 11 games played.

Matheson missed the first 17 games of the season but will play Saturday vs. the Flyers. Matheson had 11 goals and 20 assists (31 points) in 74 games with the Penguins last season. He was acquired for Jeff Petry and Ryan Peopling in July.

Laine was placed on the injured reserve retroactively to Nov.12th after he suffered a sprained ankle in last Saturday’s game at the NY Islanders and is expected to miss 3-to-4 weeks. It is a tough break for Laine who already missed six games due to an injury earlier this season. Through eight games so far in 2022-23, Laine had struggled to find his footing with two goals and four points along with 29 SOG in eight games this season.

Montembeault stopped 31 of 33 shots (.939 SV%) for his third straight victory as he beat Vancouver his last time out. The Canadiens' backup has been sensational this season, posting a .930 SV% to go along with his 3-1-1 record and 2.38 GAA. He faces the Columbus Blue Jackets who have struggled on both sides of the ice ranking 23rd in goals per game (2.87) but also last in the NHL in goals allowed per game (4.33).

Slafkovsky has served his two-game suspension for a boarding infraction against Detroit's Matt Luff and will return to the Canadiens' lineup Tuesday. Through 10 games prior to the suspension, the 2022 1st overall pick has three goals and 19 PIMs off 10 SOG.

Laine suffered a sprained ankle in Saturday’s game at the NY Islanders and is expected to miss 3-to-4 weeks. It is a tough break for Laine who already missed six games due to an injury earlier this season. Through eight games so far in 2022-23, Laine had struggled to find his footing with two goals and four points along with 29 SOG in eight games this season.

Carrier has been a healthy scratch for Nashville's last two games. He has zero points in 11 games played and is a -2 rating with 14 SOG.