Game 56 Preview: Montreal Canadiens @ Edmonton Oilers

The Montreal Canadiens (14-34-7, 35 pts) lock horns with Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers  (30-21-4, 64 pts) as they continue their trip in western Canada Saturday night (7:00 PM ET, CBC, CITY, SN360, TVAS).

Fresh off an emotional overtime win against the Calgary Flames, the Canadiens will look to play spoilers again as they attempt to thwart Edmonton’s late-season push to try and gain ground in the Western Conference playoff race. This is a  must-win for Edmonton, as they try to keep pace with the Dallas Stars, Nashville Predators and the Vegas Golden Knights for the last three spots in the playoff race, and any loss could set them back in a very big way.

With Andrew Hammond injured during their last game against the Flames, the Canadiens will start Samuel Montembeault against the Oilers. Montembeault will look to put his previous outing behind him, as he allowed seven goals on 23 shots before being pulled in favour of Hammond in the Canadiens’ 8-4 loss to the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday night. So far this season, the Montembeault is 5-11-4 with a 3.74 GAA, and a .896 save percentage.

Mike Smith is expected to get the start for the Oilers tonight. He’s 5-7-1 with a 3.53 GAA and a .893 save percentage.

Montreal Canadiens Notes

Cole Caufield has continued to be the most productive Canadiens player since the arrival of Martin St. Louis, posting 12 points in his last 10 games.

Nick Suzuki has returned to his 2021 playoff form, leading the Canadiens’ forwards in ice time and potting 10 points in his last 10 games.

Edmonton Oilers Notes

Connor McDavid hasn’t missed a beat this season, putting up 20 points in his last 14 games down the stretch.

Leon Draisaitl has also begun to pick up the offensive output lately, putting up 12 points in his last 8 games.

Montreal Canadiens Lines:

Forwards

Cole Caufield-Nick Suzuki-Josh Anderson

Mike Hoffman – Laurent Dauphin – Brendan Gallagher

Joel-Armia- Rem Pitlick- Artturi Lehkonen

Michael Pezzetta – Ryan Poehling – Mathieu Perreault

Defence:

Alexander Romanov – Ben Chiarot

Brett Kulak-Jeff Petry

Kale Clague-Chris Wideman

Goalies:

Sam Montembeault

Cayden Primeau

Edmonton Oilers Lines:

Forwards

Warren Foegele-Connor McDavid-Zach Hyman

Evander Kane-Leon Draisaitl-Kailer Yamamoto

Brad Malone- Ryan McLeod-Derek Ryan

Tyler Benson-Kyle Turris-Devin Shore

Defence

Darnell Nurse-Cody Ceci

Duncan Keith-Evan Bouchard

Markus Niemelainen-William Lagesson

Goalies

Mike Smith

Mikko Koskinen