Canadiens Game 12: Pitlick, Kovacevic Sit For Wideman, Hoffman

The Montreal Canadiens (5-5-1) face the potent Vegas Golden Knights Jets (10-2-0) Saturday night as they return to the Bell Centre following a four-game rod trip. The puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST.

The Canadiens continued their rotation of forwards in the lineup, as Mike Hoffman will be taking Rem Pitlick’s spot in the lineup.

The veteran sniper will be lining up next to Sean Monahan and Jonathan Drouin on the third line, as the Canadiens look to spark some secondary scoring punch.

Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki have carried the Canadiens offensively, with both players accounting for over 40% of the club’s offence over the last 11 games. It’s a positive sign for their growth as players, as they continue to show they are the future of the organization, as well as its present.

There was more shuffling on the defensive side, as Joel Edmundson was now paired with Jordan Harris at practice, while Arber Xhekaj was rotating partners between Chris Wideman and Jonathan Kovacevic.

Jake Allen returns to the starter’s position tonight. The veteran goaltender continues to play some solid hockey for the Canadiens, given the circumstances, posting a 2.88 goals-against average and a 0.908 save percentage.

As for the Golden Knights, well, they’re red-hot at the moment, riding a six-game winning streak into tonight’s game.

Jack Eichel, who was acquired by the Golden Knights just over a year ago, is finally showing what he can do with a full bill of health. The talented centre leads his team in scoring so far this season with five goals and eight assists for 13 points in 12 games.

However, the major difference for the Golden Knights this season has been their secondary scoring. Chandler Stephenson, Mark Stone, William Karlsson and Alex Pietrangelo are all having strong starts to the season and are posting solid numbers. Even Jonathan Marchessault and Reilley Smith have hit the ground running this year, making the Golden Knights a difficult team to contain offensively, due to having three potent scoring lines.

As everyone predicted, the combo of Logan Thompson and Adin Hill has been dynamite for the Golden Knights. Thompson has posted an impressive 0.934 save percentage and an impressive 2.01 goals against average in eight games, while Hill has an even more impressive 0.940 save percentage and a sparkling 1.72 goals against average.

The combination of a revived offence and consistent goaltending is sure to cause the Canadiens some trouble tonight, as Vegas is by far the best team the Canadiens have faced in this young season.

Canadiens

• Emil Heineman (IR)
• Mike Matheson (abdominal muscle strain, 6-8 weeks)
• Carey Price (LTIR)
• Paul Byron (LTIR
• Evgenii Dadonov (IR)

Golden Knights

• Shea Weber (LTIR)
• Robin Lehner (LTIR)
• Nolan Patrick (LTIR)
• Broissoit (Conditioning stint, LTIR)

Montreal Canadiens Projected Lines

Vegas Golden Knights Projected Lines:

Stephenson-Eichel-Stone

Marchessault-Karlsson-Smith

Amadio-Howden-Kessel

Carrier-Roy-Kolesar

Defence:

Martinez-Pietrangelo

McNabb-Theodore

Hague-Whitecloud

Goalies:

Hill

Thompson

Special Teams

Montreal Canadiens Game Notes:

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