Lorentz will be a healthy scratch on Saturday, allowing Anton Lundell to return to the lineup after missing four games due to an illness. Lorentz has been a regular in the lineup this season, scoring three points (1G / 2A) and registering 28 hits while averaging 8:35 time-on-ice through 25 games.
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.
Mermis will play for the first time since last Thursday as he takes the place of Daemon Hunt on the Wild blue-line. Mermis has two goals and three assists in 15 games this season.
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.
Blais has only played one of the last six games for the Blues but will return to the lineup on Thursday against the Florida Panthers. Blais' ice time has decreased by more than a minute this season but he is still committed to his hard-nosed style of play, averaging 3.08 hits per game.
Matthews was a late scratch and did not play on Saturday due to an illness but is expected to return for the Maple Leafs on Tuesday against the New York Rangers after being a full participant at the morning skate. Matthews is producing at an alarming rate, with 10 points (7G / 3A) during a four-game point streak.
Groulx will be the odd-man out on Monday as Leo Carlsson draws back into the Ducks' lineup. Groulx has no goals and just one assist in 20 games this season.
Lettieri will be a surprise addition to the Wild lineup after Mats Zuccarello was announced as a late scratch for Monday's game. Lettieri last played on November 30th and has just two goals and one assist in 13 games this season.
Stolarz will start for the third time this month and look for his second consecutive victory, building off a 17-save performance (.895 SV%) in a 5-2 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on December 10th. The 29-year-old netminder has played well when called upon this season, posting a 2.19 GAA and .914 SV% through eight games (4-2-1). The Panthers are -117 road favourites on Monday against the Calgary Flames, who have lost four of their last five (1-2-2) and will welcome back their starting goalie, Jacob Markstrom.
Tanev has not played since exiting the Flames December 11th contest against the Colorado Avalanche in the period. Tanev has been a steadying force on the blueline for the Flames this season, recording seven points (1G / 6A), 65 blocks, and 11 hits through 28 games, playing predominantly alongside Noah Hanifin on the Flames top defensive pair.
Matthews was a late scratch and did not play on Saturday due to an illness but appears to be on track to return for the Maple Leafs' next contest on Tuesday against the New York Rangers. Matthews is producing at an alarming rate, with 10 points (7G / 3A) during a four-game point streak.
Myers played one game with the Lightning this season on November 14th but has been reassigned to the Syracuse Crunch of the AHL, where he has six points (0G / 6A) in 19 games. In a corresponding move, Sean Day was recalled from Syracuse.
Tanev is returning to Calgary where he will be further evaluated for an upper-body injury and miss his second consecutive games. He was unable to complete a full shift, exiting Monday's game against the Colorado Avalanche after only 0:15 with an undisclosed injury after taking a hit from Ross Colton. Tanev has been a steadying force on the blueline for the Flames this season, recording seven points (1G / 6A), 65 blocks, and 11 hits through 28 games.
Knies will miss his second straight game as he continues to battle an illness. Knies has been held to just one point (0G / 1A) in his last six games, averaging 15:47 time-on-ice. On Tuesday, Knies was replaced by Noah Gregor on the top line and skated in that same spot at Thursday's morning skate.
Lettieri had four goals, eight point and four PIMs in 10 games with Iowa (AHL) and has been called up back to Minnesota where he has spent most of this season. The 28-year-old is in his sixth NHL season and has two goals, an assist, four PIMs, 15 SOG and a -3 plus/minus in 13 games played.
Mermis will head back to Minnesota after a short stint in Iowa (AHL) which saw high collect two assists in five games before his promotion Wednesday. The 29-year-old has appeared in 14 games with the Wild already in 2023-24, with two goals, three assists, 11 SOG, and 21 PIMs.
