Heineman made his NHL debut in two consecutive games before the Christmas break, recording two hits and a +1 plus/minus. However, he will be loaned to the Laval Rocket of the AHL, where he has four points (1G / 3A) in seven games.

Caufield has four points during his current four-game point streak (1G / 3A) and will likely be a game-time decision after not partaking in the morning skate on Thursday. The talented winger has one goal in his last 11 games but still produces a high shot volume, averaging 3.4 shots per game.

Primeau played well in the Canadiens' final game before the Christmas break, saving 19 of 21 shots (.905 SV%) in a 5-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks, and will play in their first game back from the break on Thursday. Primeau has won three of his last four contests (3-1-0), allowing two goals or fewer in three, posting a .916 SV%, but will be hard-pressed to continue his strong play in an unfavourable matchup against the Carolina Hurricanes. The Hurricanes played last night, a commanding 5-2 victory over the Nashville Predators, but are still sizeable -253 home favourites against the Canadiens.

Primeau will start for only the second time this month and the first time since December 9th, a sensational performance where he saved 46 of 48 shots (.958 SV%) in a 3-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres. Despite seeing very limited action between the pipes, Primeau has played pretty well when called upon, allowing nine goals across his last three starts, boasting a .918 SV%. That said, the Canadiens had to travel last night after a 4-3 loss to the Minnesota Wild and are +104 road underdogs against a Chicago Blackhawks team that surprisingly ended a four-game losing skid with a 3-2 victory over the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday.

Emil Heineman will make his NHL debut on Thursday as Pezzetta will watch from the press box as a healthy scratch. Pezzetta had played four straight games for the Canadiens, recording one point (0G / 1A), three shots, and 15 hits.

Michael Pezzetta will be a healthy scratch on Thursday, allowing Heineman to make his NHL debut on Thursday against the Minnesota Wild. Heineman was the 43rd overall pick of the Florida Panthers in the 2020 NHL Draft and has four points (1G / 3A) in seven games with the Laval Rocket this season.

Montembeault will start for the third time in the last four games for the Canadiens on Thursday when they face off against the Minnesota Wild. Over his last nine appearances, Montembeault has recorded a save percentage of .900 or better in each contest, posting a combined .921 SV% and 5-2-1 record. The Canadiens, looking for their first three-game winning streak of the season, will be hard-pressed for a victory against a Minnesota team that defeated them 5-2 on October 17th when Montembeault allowed five goals on 35 shots (.857 SV%).

Laine was seemingly turning the corner on what had already been a disappointing season, scoring five points (3G / 2A) in his last six games, but will instead be sidelined for the next several weeks with a clavicle fracture. Laine had already missed 12 games this season due to injuries, which is becoming a regularity for the Finnish forward. He has only played more than 60 games in a season once since the 2019-20 season.

Laine was seemingly turning the corner on what had already been a disappointing season, scoring five points (3G / 2A) in his last six games, but will instead be sidelined for the next six weeks with a clavicle fracture. Laine had already missed 12 games this season due to injuries, which is becoming a regularity for the Finnish forward. He has only played more than 60 games in a season once since the 2019-20 season.

Montembeault played well in his last game, saving 27 of 30 shots (.900 SV%), but ultimately came up short in a 4-3, 12-round shootout loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday. Montembeault will return to the crease on Saturday against the New York Islanders for his second consecutive start, the second time he has started consecutive games in December, as the Canadiens appear to be favouring the 27-year-old netminder.

Laine appeared to grab his shoulder after an awkward collision in the first period. It's another tough blow in what has been a dreadful season for the former 40-goal scorer. Laine has just six goals and three assists in 18 games this season.

Heineman had a goal, three assists, eight PIMs and a -6 plus/minus in seven games with Laval (AHL) and has earned his first call up to Montreal Wednesday after it was announced that Tanner Pearson (upper body) would be placed on the Injured Reserve. Heineman is 22-year-old and has yet to play an NHL game after making his North American debut with Laval in 2022-23 after four seasons with Leksands IF (SHL) in Sweden.

Montreal's goaltending trio will continue to shuffle as Samuel Montembeault takes the crease for the first time in three games Wednesday. The 27-year-old has been Montreal's best netminder of their three with his 6-4-1 record, .912 SV% and 2.78 GAA. He faces the Pittsburgh Penguins, who are on the second half of a back-to-back after a win over Arizona Tuesday and are ranked 23rd in the NHL in goals per game (2.93).